ASTM D5536-17 (2023) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D5536-17(2023) — Standard Practice for Sampling Forest Trees for Determination of Clear Wood Properties. This practice describes procedures for selecting and sampling standing trees and bolts to obtain small, clear wood specimens suitable for determination of density, specific gravity, and mechanical properties used in strength and structural evaluations of solid wood products.

Abstract

This practice presents standardized procedures for obtaining small clear specimens from forest trees so that their clear wood properties (density, specific gravity, and mechanical strength values) can be determined and correlated with laboratory test methods. It provides two primary sampling approaches (a primary cruciform sampling method intended for larger trees and a secondary/cruciform or random sampling option for smaller or difficult trees), guidance on field marking and documentation, and instructions on preparing and matching specimens for tests such as Test Methods D143 and related practices. The practice was originally issued in 2017 and was reapproved/confirmed in 2023.

General information

• Status: Published / Active (reapproved 2023).
• Publication date: 2017 (designation D5536-17), reapproved/published as D5536-17(2023) — effective publication January/February 2023.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 79.040 — Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber.
• Edition / version: D5536-17 (reapproved 2023), current reapproval of the 2017 edition.
• Number of pages: 10 pages (typical product listing and catalog metadata).

Scope

This practice covers field and laboratory sampling procedures for obtaining small clear wood specimens from standing trees, bolts, or logs for the purpose of determining clear wood properties (density, specific gravity, and mechanical properties). It describes primary and secondary sampling methods (including cruciform and random approaches), specimen marking and matching (end-to-end or side matching), and information to record in field descriptions. The practice is intended to produce specimens suitable for testing in accordance with Test Methods such as D143 and for use when establishing clear-wood property estimates in conjunction with practices like D2555. It does not prescribe the test methods themselves but focuses on representative, documented sampling.

Key topics and requirements

• Two standard sampling approaches: primary cruciform sampling (for larger trees) and secondary/cruciform or random sampling (for smaller or limited-availability trees).
• Field marking, specimen identification, and maintenance of orientation (cardinal points) when orientation is critical.
• Requirements for composite bolts, end-matching of sticks for green vs. dry comparisons, and guidance on forming composite samples.
• Guidance on the number of trees and statistical considerations when the sampling results will be used for population-level inferences.
• Instructions to obtain herbarium samples (leaves, twigs, bark) when species identification is necessary.
• Cross-references and intended compatibility with small-specimen test methods (e.g., D143) and strength-value practices (e.g., D2555).

Typical use and users

Used by forest researchers, wood scientists, timber and lumber testing laboratories, forest inventory specialists, wood-products manufacturers, structural engineers, and standards organizations. Typical applications include establishing representative clear-wood property datasets for species, validating density–strength correlations, producing specimens for small-specimen mechanical tests, and supporting production of species strength tables or working-stress values.

Related standards

Frequently referenced and used together with: ASTM D143 (Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber), ASTM D2555 (Standard Practice for Establishing Clear Wood Strength Values), ASTM D1038 and D9 (terminology standards), and general sampling practice standards such as ASTM E105 for probability sampling. The practice lists these cross-references to ensure specimens are suitable for the intended laboratory tests and analytical methods.

Keywords

clear wood, sampling, forest trees, cruciform sampling, random sampling, small clear specimens, density, specific gravity, wood properties, D5536-17, reapproved 2023, ASTM.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D5536-17(2023) is a practice that defines field sampling procedures for collecting wood material from forest trees and bolts so that small clear specimens suitable for laboratory determination of clear wood properties can be produced.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers methods for selecting trees, cutting and marking bolts, forming composite samples, maintaining specimen orientation, and preparing sticks for tests — primarily through a primary cruciform sampling method and secondary/random options — intended to support subsequent testing (for example, via Test Methods D143).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Wood scientists, timber testing laboratories, forest inventory professionals, manufacturers of wood products, and structural engineers who need representative, documented specimen material for density and mechanical-property testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The active designation is D5536-17 with a reapproval/publication in 2023 (commonly cited as D5536-17(2023)). It is the reapproved 2017 edition and remains current as of the 2023 reapproval. Users should always confirm the latest status through ASTM or authorized distributors before purchase or citation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the ASTM D07 committee suite of wood standards and is intended to be used with related test methods and practices (for example, D143 for small specimen tests and D2555 for establishing clear wood strength values).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Clear wood, sampling, forest trees, cruciform sampling, specific gravity, density, small clear specimens, wood properties, D5536-17.