Age of Segregation of Brazilian Sycamore Wood From Two Different Physiographic Regions

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The manufacture of wooden pieces with appropriate properties according to each type of use requires a great knowledge about their variability, especially in the radial direction. The present study aims to determine the age of segregation between juvenile and mature woods of sycamore (Platanus x acerifolia) wood by the radial variation of its basic density. Sycamore trees were randomly selected in two physiographic regions of the southern Brazil, namely Central Depreciation and Hill Top northeast. To determine density, the volume of the saturated samples was measured by the buoyancy method and the dry mass was obtained by weighing after drying in an oven at 103 °C. Sycamore wood segregated at distance between 11 cm and 16 cm from the pitch, corresponding to the 12 th and 15 th growth rings. The density presented significant variability when compared between regions and/or juvenile and mature woods. RESUMO: