Wood Characterization of Adult Clones of Tectona Grandis Growing in Costa Rica

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Tectona grandis is an important wood in the commercial market due to its excellent workability, durability and aesthetic characteristics. Therefore, it is important to improve the conditions of reproduction and development in commercial plantations using clone reproduction, in order to produce trees with better wood quality. In this study we analyzed the general properties, physical properties and color of 20 adult teak clones (fifteen-year-old) from the area of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It was found that at 15 years, the clones have a diameter which varies from 19.82 cm to 30.13 cm, the percentage of heartwood ranges from 49.76 to 60.02%, and that these values are similar to those found in the literature. In regards to the physical properties, it was found that the specific gravity ranges from 0.45 to 0.60 g . cm -3, the green moisture content varies from 70% to 110.6%. In the color properties, it was found that L* values ranged from 48 to 59, a* 7 to 9.5 and b * from 20.5 to 26.3. Likewise it was determined that the color change (ΔE*) compared to commercial wood color, is commonly categorized as perceptible in all clones. However, three of the clones studied have a darker color and reddish wood which indicates a color more desirable to the end user. PROPRIEDADES DA MADEIRA DE CLONES ADULTOS DE Tectona grandisCRESCENDO NA COSTA RICA RESUMO: A madeira de Tectona grandis é importante no mercado devido às suas excelentes características de trabalhabilidade, durabilidade e estética. Por isso é importante melhorar as condições de reprodução e do desenvolvimento das plantações comerciais utilizando clones com o objetivo de produzir árvores produtoras de madeira de boa qualidade. No presente estudo foram estudadas as propriedades gerais, físicas e a coloração da madeira de 20 clones de teca (20 anos de idade) da região de Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Os resultados indicaram que clones no 15º ano atingem um diâmetro do tronco variando de 19,82 a 30,13 cm e a porcentagem de cerne de 49,76 a 60,02 %, ambas em valores similares aos reportados na literatura. Em relação às propriedades físicas da madeira, verificou-se que a massa especifica varia de 0,45 a 0,60 g . cm -3 , o teor de umidade na condição verde de 70 a 110,6%. Em relação à cor da madeira, os valores de L* variaram de 48 a 59, a* de 7 a 9,5 e b* de 20,5 a 26,3. Determinou-se que a coloração da madeira (ΔE*) em relação à da madeira comercial é comumente categorizada como perceptível para todos os clones. Entretanto, três dos clones estudados apresentaram madeira mais escura e tonalidade avermelhada que indica ser a coloração mais apreciada do usuário final.

Heartwood formation and prediction of heartwood parameters in Tectona grandis L.f. trees growing in forest plantations in Costa Rica

“…Other investigations have determined the variation of the percentage of heartwood (HW percentage ) with management conditions and DBH, among other morphological parameters of the tree. For example, Serrano et al (2015) and Arce and Moya (2015) show that different site and climatic conditions, soil fertility and management of the plantation affect sapwood thickness (SWT) and HW percentage at DBH. Thulasidas and Bhat (2009) found great differences in HW percentage and heartwood diameter (HW diameter ) between wet and dry sites in India, with the wet sites presenting larger heartwood diameters.…”

Fire‐retarding properties of nanowollastonite in particleboard

“…Fire‐retardant chemicals may be assessed from 3 main perspectives beyond flammability: reduced strength on wood and corrosion on fasteners, increased hygroscopicity, and the amount of toxic and smoke gases produced. All these perspectives are considered over the years, and in the new fire‐retardant formulations, nearly all requirements are met . However, the enhanced quality caused by application of materials at nanoscale can also be used to improve fire properties in wood composites .…”

Effects of Nano-Clay on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Medium-Density Fiberboards Made from Wood and Chicken-Feather Fibers and Two Types of Resins

“…Wood is a renewable material for many applications that helped mankind keep a sustainable development over centuries of civilization (Daly-Hassan et al, 2014; Fernandez et al, 2014 and 2017; Arce and Moya, 2015). Fast-growing species provide an opportunity to provide the raw materials necessary for wood industries and composite products (Behling et al, 2011;Gbetoho et al, 2017); however, the wood produced of these trees is usually of low quality and density and it is usually more susceptible to wood deteriorating bioagents (Schmidt, 2006;de Medeiros et al, 2016;Schmidt et al, 2016;Ayata et al 2017).…”