ASTM D5536-17

Standard Practice for Sampling Forest Trees for Determination of Clear Wood Properties

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice covers procedures of sampling for obtaining small, clear wood specimens which, when tested in accordance with Test Methods D143 and, in conjunction with full-size product tests, will provide mechanical properties for use in deriving design properties for lumber, panels, poles, house logs, and other products.  
4.2 Data obtained by testing specimens sampled in accordance with these methods also provide information on the influence on mechanical properties of such factors as density, locality of growth, position in cross section, height in the tree, and moisture content.  
4.3 Cruciform sampling is of principal value when information is desired on the influence on mechanical properties of height in the tree; of age or radial position in the tree; of rate of growth; the change from sapwood to heartwood; the relationships between mechanical properties and factors such as specific gravity; and making general comparisons between species for purposes of rating or selecting species for specific end-use products. Cruciform sampling does not provide unbiased estimates of mean values, percentile or other descriptive statistics, or a means of associating statistical confidence with estimates of descriptive statistics.  
4.4 Double sampling is used when it is desired to improve or update existing estimates of mechanical property values that are the basis for establishing allowable design stresses for stress-graded lumber, plywood, poles and piling, and other wood products. The method involves predicting one property by carefully observing a well-correlated auxiliary property that is presumably easier or cheaper to measure. A sample estimate of the auxiliary property is obtained with a high degree of precision by representatively sampling the population. A smaller independent sample or a subsample of the large sample is used to establish a relationship between the auxiliary property and the property for which an estimate is desired. As applied to sampling a f...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice offers two alternative physical sampling procedures: cruciform sampling and random sampling. The choice of procedure will depend upon the intended use for the test results, the resources available for sampling and testing, and the availability of existing data on the mechanical properties and specific gravity of the species of interest.  
1.2 A third procedure, double sampling, is included primarily by reference. This procedure applies the results of cruciform or random samples through correlation to improve or update property values.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2017
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.08 - Forests

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5536 − 17
Standard Practice for
Sampling Forest Trees for Determination of Clear Wood
1
Properties
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5536; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The everyday use of wood for many different purposes creates a continual need for data on its
mechanical properties. Small clear specimen testing to characterize a species has historically been
employed for such property determination, and related methods of test are outlined in Test Methods
D143.
Because wood is a biological material, its mechanical properties are subject to considerable natural
variation. Thus, the results of tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of a species depend to a great
extent upon how the forest trees are sampled for test material. Ideally, if the results of mechanical
property evaluations are to be representative of the forest sampled, probability sampling of materials
such as outlined in Practice E105 must be used. However, true probability sampling of the forest trees
for determination of mechanical properties can be extremely complex and expensive because of the
broad geographic range and topographic conditions under which a tree species grows. In some
instances, direct probability sampling may be impractical, necessitating the need for alternative
2,3
sampling procedures.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This practice offers two alternative physical sampling
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures: cruciform sampling and random sampling. The
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
choice of procedure will depend upon the intended use for the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
test results, the resources available for sampling and testing,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and the availability of existing data on the mechanical proper-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ties and specific gravity of the species of interest.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 A third procedure, double sampling, is included primar-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ily by reference. This procedure applies the results of cruciform
or random samples through correlation to improve or update
2. Referenced Documents
property values.
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Prod-
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
ucts
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
D143 Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber
information only and are not considered standard.
D1038 Terminology Relating to Veneer and Plywood
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the D2555 Practice for Establishing Clear Wood Strength Values
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
3. Terminology
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.08 on Forests. 3.1 Definitions:
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2017. Published September 2017. Originally
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D5536 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/D5536-17.
2 4
Bendtsen, B. A., Freese, F., and Ethington, R. L., “A Forest Sampling Method For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
for Wood Strength,” Forest Products Journal, Vol 20, No. 11, 1970, pp. 38–47. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Pearson, R. G., and Williams, E. J., “A Review of Methods for Sampling of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Timber,” Forest Products Journal, Vol 8, No. 9, 1958, pp. 263–268. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5536 − 17
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to 5. Authentic Identification
Terminologies D9 and D1038.
5.1 The material shall be from trees selected in the forest by
one qualified to identify the species and to select the trees.
4. Significance and Use
Where necessary, herbarium samples such as leaves, fruit,
twigs, and bark shall be obtained to ensure positive identifica-
4.1 Thi
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5536 − 15 D5536 − 17
Standard Practice for
Sampling Forest Trees for Determination of Clear Wood
1
Properties
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5536; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The everyday use of wood for many different purposes creates a continual need for data on its
mechanical properties. Small clear specimen testing to characterize a species has historically been
employed for such property determination, and related methods of test are outlined in Test Methods
D143.
Because wood is a biological material, its mechanical properties are subject to considerable natural
variation. Thus, the results of tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of a species depend to a great
extent upon how the forest trees are sampled for test material. Ideally, if the results of mechanical
property evaluations are to be representative of the forest sampled, probability sampling of materials
such as outlined in Practice E105 must be used. However, true probability sampling of the forest trees
for determination of mechanical properties can be extremely complex and expensive because of the
broad geographic range and topographic conditions under which a tree species grows. In some
instances, direct probability sampling may be impractical, necessitating the need for alternative
2,3
sampling procedures.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice offers two alternative physical sampling procedures: cruciform sampling and random sampling. The choice of
procedure will depend upon the intended use for the test results, the resources available for sampling and testing, and the
availability of existing data on the mechanical properties and specific gravity of the species of interest.
1.2 A third procedure, double sampling, is included primarily by reference. This procedure applies the results of cruciform or
random samples through correlation to improve or update property values.
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
D143 Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.08 on Forests.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2017. Published December 2015September 2017. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20102015
as D5536 – 94(2010).15. DOI: 10.1520/D5536-15.10.1520/D5536-17.
2
Bendtsen, B. A., Freese, F., and Ethington, R. L., “A Forest Sampling Method for Wood Strength,” Forest Products Journal, Vol 20, No. 11, 1970, pp. 38–47.
3
Pearson, R. G., and Williams, E. J., “A Review of Methods for Sampling of Timber,” Forest Products Journal, Vol 8, No. 9, 1958, pp. 263–268.
4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5536 − 17
D1038 Terminology Relating to Veneer and Plywood
D2555 Practice for Establishing Clear Wood Strength Values
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer t
...