Comparative evaluation of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens wood and fibre quality

Abstract

An evaluation of 100 Eucalyptus globulus and 100 E. nitens trees (six years old) was made using the Pilodyn micro-drilling tool as an indicator of wood density. Thirty E. globulus and thirty E. nitens trees with high, medium and low density were selected and sampled with an increment borer at breast height for anatomical analysis using fibre tester equipment and the Resistograph device to generate detailed information about fibre biometry and anatomical wood properties of both species for hybrid development. Eucalyptus globulus trees had a basic wood density average of 478 kg/m3, while E. nitens had a density of 490 kg/m3. Both micro-drilling tools showed significant correlation coefficients with basic wood density. Correlation coefficients between basic wood density and Pilodyn values were negative, being -0.53 (p = 0.01) and -0.68 (p < 0.001) for E. globulus and E. nitens, respectively. For both species a positive correlation was observed between basic density and Resistograph mean amplitude; the correlation coefficient was 0.84 (p < 0.001) for E. globulus, and 0.85 (p < 0.001) for E. nitens. Eucalyptus nitens trees had a higher density and amplitude average and smaller Pilodyn values than E. globulus trees, while the latter had higher coarseness, fibre length and diameter at breast height than E. nitens trees. However, E. nitens showed larger differences between features of earlywood and latewood in a growth ring than E. globulus trees.

Use of a pin-penetration wood density meter to determine the density of 25 Indonesian species

“…In a study of standing trees, Anna et al (2020) found a weak negative relationship between pin penetration depth and the density (r = −0.172) and the specific gravity (r = −0.282) in jabon wood. Carrillo et al (2017) also reported negative relationships between pin penetration values and basic wood density in Eucalyptus globulus (r = −0.53) and Eucalyptus nitens (r = −0.68). Stronger negative correlations between pin penetration depth and density and specific gravity were reported by Couto et al (2013) for Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla and Carrillo et al (2017) for E. globulus and E. nitens.…”

“…Carrillo et al (2017) also reported negative relationships between pin penetration values and basic wood density in Eucalyptus globulus (r = −0.53) and Eucalyptus nitens (r = −0.68). Stronger negative correlations between pin penetration depth and density and specific gravity were reported by Couto et al (2013) for Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla and Carrillo et al (2017) for E. globulus and E. nitens. Stronger and weaker correlations between pin penetration depth and wood density or specific properties were presumably related to the number of tested samples and the uniformity of the sample conditions, especially in relation to moisture content.…”

The growth, pilodyn penetration, and wood properties of 12 Neolamarckia cadamba provenances at 42 months old

“…Couto et al (2013) reported the correlation between wood density and pilodyn penetration of the 42 months old E. grandis and E. urophylla were 0.00 and -0.44. Carrillo et al (2017) stated that the correlation between density and pilodyn on the 6 years old E. globulus and E. nitens was negative and strong. Similar results were reported by Shi-jun et al (2010) on 56 months old Eucalyptus, Warrier and Venkataramanan (2014) on 4 years old of Casuarina equisetifolia, Kien et al (2008) on 8 and 9 years old E. urophylla, and Kha et al (2012) on Acacia hybrid planted in Yen Tanh.…”

Non-Destructive Evaluation Techniques and What They Tell Us about Wood Property Variation

“…The ability to process the Resi trace to extract other wood properties warrants investigation [94]. Likewise, the potential to extract annual ring widths and growth trajectories in plantation inventory has obvious value.…”