Characteristics and Geographical Distribution of Fiddleback Figure in Wood of Acer pseudoplatanus L. in Slovenia

The wavy grain of wood expressed in fiddleback figure usually enhances its commercial value. The goal of this study was to analyse fiddleback figure and other log characteristics in sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and their contribution to the price of the timber. We studied sycamore maple logs at the annual auction of the highest quality wood assortments in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia. Measurements were performed on the logs and wavy grain was analysed in 2013. In addition, data were used on logs auctioned between 2007 and 2012. Using the data collected at the auction in 2013 and a binary logistic regression model, the original sample was expanded considerably. The percentage of fiddleback maple was 7.4 % at the auction in 2013. Larger volume of maple logs was on average linked to higher price; however, the presence of fiddleback figure in a log per se did not guarantee above average price. Prices of more than half of the fiddleback figured maple logs at the auction in 2013 were below average. On the other hand, large fiddleback logs achieved the highest prices. Trees with fiddleback figure proved to be evenly distributed throughout the entire population of sycamore maple in Slovenia. The geographic origin of sycamore maple did not influence the occurrence of fiddleback figure. The presented results appear to be representative of the occurrence of fiddleback figure in Acer pseudoplatanus throughout its entire distribution range.