55
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. J. Pastorino, P. Marchelli (eds.), Low Intensity Breeding of Native Forest
Trees in Argentina, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56462-9_3
Chapter 3
Raulí (Nothofagus alpina = N. nervosa):
The Best Quality Hardwood in Patagonia
Paula Marchelli, Mario J. Pastorino, María Marta Azpilicueta,
Virginia Duboscq-Carra, Georgina Sola, Verónica El Mujtar,
Verónica Arana, Jorge Arias-Rios, Natalia Fernández, Sonia Fontenla,
Marcelo González Peñalba, and Leonardo A. Gallo
3.1 General Features of Nothofagus alpina
Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. and Endl.) Oerst. (= N. nervosa (Phil.) Dim. et Mil.),
raulí, is an iconic forest tree species of the South American temperate forests due to
its hardwood quality. With a pinkish colour and light red tints, raulí’s wood is very
appreciated in the regional and international market for its excellent physical and
mechanical characteristics. The texture is fine and homogeneous, presenting a very
smooth veining with linear fibres that allow obtaining even excellent roof tiles and
a density of approximately 0.55 g/cm
3
at 12% moisture content. Easy to dry, once
dry it is dimensionally stable, easy to saw, brush and turn, achieving excellent terminations and therefore very suitable for door and window frames, furniture and
fine woodwork (Diaz-Vaz 1987). Owing to this superb wood quality, raulí has been
P. Marchelli (*) · M. J. Pastorino · M. M. Azpilicueta · V. Duboscq-Carra · V. El Mujtar
V. Arana · J. Arias-Rios · L. A. Gallo
Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche (IFAB) INTA-CONICET,
Bariloche, Argentina
e-mail: marchelli.paula@inta.gob.ar
G. Sola
Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche (IFAB) INTA-CONICET,
Bariloche, Argentina
AUSMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Martín de los Andes, Neuquen, Argentina
N. Fernández · S. Fontenla
IPATEC, Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue –
CONICET, Bariloche, Argentina
M. González Peñalba
Parque Nacional Lanín, Administración de Parques Nacionales, San Martín de los Andes,
Neuquén, Argentina
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. J. Pastorino, P. Marchelli (eds.), Low Intensity Breeding of Native Forest
Trees in Argentina, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56462-9_3
Chapter 3
Raulí (Nothofagus alpina = N. nervosa):
The Best Quality Hardwood in Patagonia
Paula Marchelli, Mario J. Pastorino, María Marta Azpilicueta,
Virginia Duboscq-Carra, Georgina Sola, Verónica El Mujtar,
Verónica Arana, Jorge Arias-Rios, Natalia Fernández, Sonia Fontenla,
Marcelo González Peñalba, and Leonardo A. Gallo
3.1 General Features of Nothofagus alpina
Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. and Endl.) Oerst. (= N. nervosa (Phil.) Dim. et Mil.),
raulí, is an iconic forest tree species of the South American temperate forests due to
its hardwood quality. With a pinkish colour and light red tints, raulí’s wood is very
appreciated in the regional and international market for its excellent physical and
mechanical characteristics. The texture is fine and homogeneous, presenting a very
smooth veining with linear fibres that allow obtaining even excellent roof tiles and
a density of approximately 0.55 g/cm
3
at 12% moisture content. Easy to dry, once
dry it is dimensionally stable, easy to saw, brush and turn, achieving excellent terminations and therefore very suitable for door and window frames, furniture and
fine woodwork (Diaz-Vaz 1987). Owing to this superb wood quality, raulí has been
P. Marchelli (*) · M. J. Pastorino · M. M. Azpilicueta · V. Duboscq-Carra · V. El Mujtar
V. Arana · J. Arias-Rios · L. A. Gallo
Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche (IFAB) INTA-CONICET,
Bariloche, Argentina
e-mail: marchelli.paula@inta.gob.ar
G. Sola
Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche (IFAB) INTA-CONICET,
Bariloche, Argentina
AUSMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Martín de los Andes, Neuquen, Argentina
N. Fernández · S. Fontenla
IPATEC, Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue –
CONICET, Bariloche, Argentina
M. González Peñalba
Parque Nacional Lanín, Administración de Parques Nacionales, San Martín de los Andes,
Neuquén, Argentina