Twelve Scots pine wood samples collected from 0-25 years old stumps located in fresh coniferous and fresh forests, were studied for contents of cellulose, lignin and hemicel-luloses. The contents of cellulose and hemicellulose decreased with the age of the stump, while the lignin content increased. The degrdn. of cellulose occurred quicker in the richer habitat. The habitat fertility had however no impact on the hemicellulose decompn. rate.