Selected Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Across Hungarian Counties

Robinia pseudoacacia L. wood is globally recognized for its high density, superior mechanical performance and low dimensional changes. Although widely cultivated across Hungary under diverse environmental conditions, potential regional variations in its wood properties remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to investigate the density, linear and volumetric shrinkage and swelling, modulus of rupture (MOR), bending modulus of elasticity (MOE) and compressive strength parallel to the grain (CS) of Hungarian R. pseudoacacia samples across five counties and under three growth conditions. Results indicated significant regional variations (p < 0.05) across some physical and mechanical parameters studied. The mixed stand in poor growth conditions showed significantly higher linear and volumetric shrinkage than pure stands under good and poor growth conditions. Also, the results revealed that samples from Bács-Kiskun county showed the highest density (0.84 g/cm³) and MOE (13.33 GPa). However, samples from poor growth conditions revealed the greatest density (0.81 g/cm³), MOR (131 MPa), and CS (71.90 MPa). These findings suggest that regional site conditions and environmental stressors play a critical role in defining the quality of R. pseudoacacia wood, offering valuable insights for localized forest management and enabling targeted site selection for high-quality timber production.