In such slow rates of growth the texture of the wood is very uniform, and naturally there is little variation in weight or strength.
"An analysis of tests on large beams was made to ascertain if average rate of growth has any relation to the mechanical properties of the beams.

The analysis indicated conclusively that there was no such relation.

Average rate of growth [without consideration also of density], therefore, has little significance in grading structural timber."[18] This is because of the wide variation in the percentage of late wood in different parts of the cross section.
[Footnote 18: Bul.

88: Properties and uses of Douglas fir, p.
29.] Experiments seem to indicate that for most species there is a rate of growth which, in general, is associated with the greatest strength, especially in small specimens.

For eight conifers it is as follows:[19] [Footnote 19: Bul.