VARIABILITY OF SOME WOOD PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TEN Cedrela odorata L. CLONES.

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.973382309065

• Palavras-chave: -

• Keywords: Spanish cedar, wood basic density, wood shrinkage, dimensional stability

• Abstract:

  This study investigated the physical properties of wood from branches of 10 selected clones
  of red cedar (Cedrela odorata L.), focusing on determining the basic density, anisotropy
  ratio, and linear and volumetric shrinkage of the wood samples. The objective of this study
  was to know the wood properties variation related to wood quality to improve the selection
  of superior clones for the establishment of forest plantations with this species. Wood
  samples were collected from the first living branch of three trees per clone. Two sections of
  5 cm thickness were obtained from each branch, and 2 cm cubes were taken from each
  section. These samples were used to determine the volume and dimensions of the wood in
  saturated and anhydrous conditions. Basic density was calculated by dividing the
  anhydrous weight (dried at 103 ± 2 °C) by the saturated volume. Total shrinkage was
  determined by calculating the ratio between the initial and final linear dimensions or
  volume change. The collected data underwent variance analysis and mean comparison
  using Tukey's method (α = 0.05). The results revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in
  the wood properties among the clones. The average values for basic density ranged from
  320.08 to 438.19 kg/m3. The average total linear shrinkage varied between 5.00% and
  6.47% in the tangential direction, 2.95% and 4.38% in the radial direction, and 0.25% and
  0.46% in the longitudinal direction. The average volumetric shrinkage ranged from 8.07%
  to 10.88%, and the anisotropy ratio (ANR) ranged from 1.27 to 1.69. Based on the values
  of wood basic density and ANR, it can be concluded that clones 4 and 8 exhibit the best
  wood properties. This study confirms that wood basic density, shrinkage, and ANR are
  additional parameters that contribute to the improved selection of red cedar clones, along
  with their growth characteristics.