Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

The paper presents a comparative analysis of wood calorific value of grand fir (Abies grandis Lindl.), originating from four stands of the southern Poland. The research material were the samples, collected from the trunks of 30 trees in each stand. The samples were divided into sections, each containing five annual increments. Then each section was measured: annual ring width and the relative wood density, which was converted to dry wood density, taking the total volumetric shrinkage of 11%. It was assumed that the calorific value of 1 kg dry wood of grand fir is 20.15 MJ. On the basis on the analysis it was found that the average calorific value of 1 m3 of grand fir wood was 8021 MJ. It was shown, that a significantly higher calorific value was obtained by the combustion of 1 m3 wood of giant fir trees, growing on the poorer soil in comparison to the more fertile soils. Statistical analysis also showed that with increasing age of the trees the calorific value of 1 m3 grand fir wood increases significantly.