Sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb) stands are widely lost throughout the world. Sonokeling is currently classified as an Appendix II CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) wood. Therefore, a study on the existence and characteristics of Sonokeling were expected to contribute in providing population data and basic properties of the wood. Exploration was conducted in Plot No. 25, KPH (Forest Management Unit) Gundih, Perum Perhutani Cepu, Central Java. Sonokeling stands have been planted since 1975 (more than 40 years-old) in an area of 54.20 ha, which was not productive for Teak and mixed with Mahogany. Sample was taken from upper part of stem with around 30 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length. The sample was further cutted into 2 x 2 x 2 cm for physical, 30 x 2 x 2 cm for Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR), and 4 x 2 x 2 cm for Compression Strength Parallel to the Grain (CSPG) tests. The results showed that specific gravity of sapwood dan heartwood were 0.79 and 0.82, respectively. The average values of MOE, MOR, and CSPG were 117,722, 1122.19, and 1022.93 kgf/cm2, respectively. Therefore, Sonokeling can be classified into Strength Class II.

Removing the outer part of bamboo for manufacturing flat bamboo lamination has disadvantage on the density of the product. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the fixation of compressed bamboo from curved cross-section slats. The compression of bamboo slats using densification technique was aimed for uniform density. Furthermore, steam treatments were conducted to fix the deformation. The compressed bamboo slats revealed that the density of the samples at the bottom parts increased from 0.40–0.56 g/cm3 to 0.89–1.05 g/cm3 after pressing with a compression level between 46.98–63.97%, while the samples in the middle parts increased from 0.70–0.83 g/cm3 to 1.02–1.18 g/cm3 with the compression level of 32.92–41.50%. These results were slightly higher than that of the upper parts, which was between 0.91–0.98 g/cm3. The recovery of set decreased and the weight loss increased with  increasing  temperature and steam treatment time. Fixation of compressive deformation could be achieved at 160°C within 60 minutes. The bottom parts of samples experienced a slightly greater weight loss compared to the middle parts, i.e. 8.38% and 7.49%, respectively. The anatomical structure of bamboo tended to deform during densification process. Furthermore, the steam treatments affected  the colour of densified bamboo which became darker. From this experiment, it can be concluded that the manufacture of laminated bamboo from bamboo slats can be uniformed in strength by equalizing the density at the bottom and middle with the upper parts through the densification technique. However, further research should be conducted to know the delamination and shear strength of the bamboo lamination.

High demand for Agarwood (Gaharu) from natural forest causes the decreasing of their population. In 2004, Indonesia proposed that all natural Agarwood from Gyrinops and Aquilaria generas should be included in the Appendix II CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) list, which could be internationally traded but in certain quota. This paper deals with anatomical observation and characterization on basic properties to find out the difference between Gyrinops and Aquilaria for classification and standardization. Explorations have been conducted at community forests in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara for Gyrinops versteegii (Gilg) Domke; while A. malaccensis Benth., A. microcarpa Baill., A. beccariana Tiegh., and Aquilaria sp. were extracted from Sangau and Ketapang Regencies, West Kalimantan. Wood samples were taken by drilling the trees stem by using a Drill tool to get a pencil-shaped sample of about 20 cm in length and 0.5 cm in diameter. Another sample in form of chips contain bark and wood were also extracted. The results showed that the average specific gravity of Gyrinops and Aquilaria was between 0.31 – 0.35, therefore it was included in the Strength Class IV. Chemical components of injured G. versteegii contained 50.74% holocelullose, 30.50% α-cellulose, 31.98% lignin, and 16.69% extractives. The composition of ray cells in G. versteegii was more complex than Aquilaria generas.

The surface color of bamboo stem changes naturally due to surrounding conditions. This paper studies the changes in bamboo surfaces color due to room temperature drying (KU) and oven drying (KO) at 60±2 °C. The color changes of four bamboo species: mayan (Gigantochloa robusta Kurz.), ater (Gigantochloa atter (Hassk) Kurz. Ex. Munro), ampel kuning (Bambusa vulgaris var. striata), and wulung (Gigantochloa atroviolacea Widjaja) were studied together with their correlation to water loss. Color measurements were conducted based on CIE-Lab system, while water content related to weight loss and thickness shrinkage during KU and KO. The result showed that there was a close relationship between water loss and discolouration of bamboo culms. The water loss of mayan, ater, and wulung showed a positive linear correlation to change of bamboo surfaces color, where the higher water loss affect greater value of color change too. Oppositely, in ampel kuning, higher water loss, affect smaller color change value (negatively correlated). This was because the natural color of ampel kuning in fresh conditions is not much different from color after drying. KU treatments, biggest thickness shrinkage was mayan = 46.03%; biggest weight reduction was ampel kuning = 28.52%; and biggest color changes (ΔE*) was ater = 15.51%. KO treatments, biggest thickness shrinkage was mayan = 52.4%; biggest weight reduction was yellow ampel = 31.19%; and biggest color changes (ΔE*) was ater = 18.8%.

BENDING STRENGTH OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS IN SOFTENING CONDITION.Manually rattan and bamboo are more easily bent than wood. A further question, whether these are due to the softening behaviour of chemical components or their anatomical structures. This research is aiming to understand the softening behaviour and viscoelastic property of wood, rattan and bamboo as lignocellulosic materials. Nine years-old fast-growing teak wood (Tectona grandis L.f.), rattan (Calamus sp.), and three-yearsold andong bamboo (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinaceae (Steud.) Widjaja) were used for the experiments. Wood and rattan samples were taken from the bottom, middle and upper parts. Bamboo samples were cut from the 1 st to 20 th internodes. Static bending tests were carried out in fresh (green) as control samples, air-dried, and softened by microwave heating (MW) for 1 minute to determine the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The results showed that the MOR and MOE values of wood, rattan, and bamboo increased from fresh to air-dried condition, and decreased by MW. When compared at the same density, a drastic increase was observed for the normalized MOR value in air-dried rattan, i.e. 2.5 fold. However, the decreasing of all the normalized MOR values were almost the same, i.e. 0.5 fold when MW softened them. The improvement also appeared for the normalized MOE value in air-dried rattan, i.e. 3 fold and decreased to almost zero by MW. These results indicated that rattan was more easily bent, followed by bamboo and then wood. Hydrothermal properties of chemical components significantly affected the changes of strength (MOR) and elastic properties (MOE). However, the differences in bending strength of wood, rattan, and bamboo were more likely due to differences in their anatomical structures.