Key message: This paper proposes a methodology that could be considered as a base for a harmonized protocol for stem-quality reporting in Europe while conducting National Forest Inventories, in order to cost-efficiently obtain a visual wood quality proxy. The importance of the variables selected, the limitations identified, and some improvements to the methodology are suggested. Forest areas with better wood quality, which in turn it would be useful for breeding programs, can be easily detected. Context: The establishment of harmonized standards or indicators that allow us to determine the quality of the wood present in a forest prior to its exploitation has long been demanded by the European forestry sector, although agreed methodologies for the evaluation of wood quality in standing trees, which is one of the sector’s most urgent requirements, have not, as yet, been implemented. Aims: To develop a protocol that visually characterizes wood quality on standing trees in a cost-effective way for the National Forest Inventory (NFI). After some improvements, it can be considered as a base for a European harmonized protocol. Methods: In this article, we analyze the implementation, in the NFI, of a visual wood-quality assessment methodology in forests of Central Spain based on the different European standards as well as on research papers addressing this issue. Results: The silvicultural practices employed are of the utmost importance to obtain the best wood quality, regardless of the species. Several areas with higher wood quality were identified as well as areas most affected by specific pests in the studied region. The impact of the variables measured (e.g., branchiness, crookedness, maximum branch diameter) is discussed. Conclusion: It is feasible to estimate a proxy for wood quality on standing trees in the NFI. Furthermore, after studying the inventory data provided, several enhancements are proposed, not only to improve wood-quality estimates but also to optimize fieldwork costs. Harmonizing NFIs to assess and map European standing wood quality can be achieved.

An extensive characterisation of Spanish laricio pine, Subsp. Salzmannii (Pinus nigra Arn. Subsp. Salzmannii) lumber has been carried out. The forest area for this species accounts for 352.954 Has and the average production for 310.000 m3/year (roundwood with bark). The study of technological characterisation of Pinus nigra Arn. Subsp. Salzmannii lumber is focussed only on three (Region 6 «Alto Maestrazgo», Region 7 «Sistema Ibérico Meridional» y Region 8 «Cordilleras Béticas») of the ten Regions of provenance that the species has in Spain due to the special interest of those forests and because they accounts for the 70,57 % of the total area and the 95 % of the total production of sawnwood. A test sample with 107 trees from 11 different sampling zones has been selected. 2886 boards, 500 disks and a very high number of small clear test samples, coming from 507 logs, has been prepared and tested. All the tests were carried out according to standards. Drying ability and quality have also been studied. This lumber seems to be highly resistant, with a high level of extractives and with a pronounced level of warp when drying. This lumber also seems to be very appropriated for structural purposes.