This paper presents the mechanical properties, veneer recovery including the cost benefits, of 3-, 5-, and 7-yr-old falcata [Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J. W. Grimes] for veneer production. Mechanical properties covered modulus of rupture (MOR), stress at the proportional limit, and modulus of elasticity (MOE) in static bending; compression paralleland perpendicular-to-grain; shear; and hardness and toughness. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of age on these properties and the cost-benefits of converting the species at different ages, and to recommend the optimum age and price for the utilization of the species for veneer production. The experimental materials consisted of six plus-size trees each per age from superior seeds of known origin in Caraga, Philippines. Standard procedures for testing the strength properties of timber (ASTM D143-14) were followed. Veneering was conducted using a spindleless lathe with a fixed setting for each designated veneer thickness output. Gross veneer recovery was 52% for both 3- and 5-yr-olds and 55% for the 7-yr-old. Net recovery, on the other hand, was 46% for the 3- and 5-yr-olds while 49% for the 7-yr-old. Utilizing falcata trees as young as 3-yr-old can generate positive cash flows for veneering plants, making it a worthwhile investment. However, from the perspective of falcata farmers and plantation owners, selling at 3-yr-old would be unfavorable considering the low selling price.

To help augment the raw material supply of the wood-based industries, the study evaluated the physical and mechanical properties (PMP) of six selected timber species in the Philippinesfour fruit-bearing and two underutilized tree species. The fruit-bearing species were "nangka" (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.), "santol" [Sandoricum koetjape (Burm. F.)], "durian" (Durio zibethinus Murray), and "marang" [Litsea perrottetti (Blume) F. Vill.] collected from Bislig, Surigao del Sur (Caraga Region, Mindanao), while the underutilized tree species were "antipolo" [Artocarpus blancoi (Elmer) Merr] and "batino" (Alstonia macrophylla G. Donn) collected from Batangas City and Quezon Province (Region IV, Luzon), respectively. Physical properties included relative density (RD), moisture content (MC), and shrinkage. Mechanical properties covered modulus of rupture, stress at proportional limit, and modulus of elasticity in static bending; compression parallel-and perpendicular-to-grain; shear; hardness; and toughness. Standard testing procedures (ASTM-D143) were followed. Variations on the six species' PMP were statistically analyzed, including the effect of individual trees and height levels. Among the six species, batino exhibited the highest RD (0.60), followed by nangka (0.49), antipolo (0.47), santol (0.46), marang (0.36), and durian (0.34).

The anatomical properties – namely, fiber length, fiber diameter, lumen diameter, cell wall thickness, vessel length, and width – of young (3-, 5-, and 7-yr-old) Falcataria molucanna (Miq.) Barneby & J. W. Grimes from Caraga Region, Philippines were evaluated to determine the variations among ages between and among trees, tree height, and their derived values as well, henceforth as a basis in recommending the potential of the species for various enduses. Three trees per age of known seed origin were collected and used as materials. FPRDI standard procedures for determining anatomical properties were followed. Data were analyzed using three-factorial in complete randomized design (CRD) and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test was used to determine significant differences among treatment means. Except for cell wall thickness, the variations in anatomical properties among age and tree were highly significant but not significant among height levels. Fiber diameter and lumen diameter increased as the trees aged. The cell wall was very thin with mean values of 0.0033 mm (3-yr-old), 0.0032 mm (5-yr-old), and 0.0031 mm (7-yr-old). Vessel length and width decreased from 3- to 5-yr-old and increased at 7-yr-old. Fiber length’s mean values increased from near pith (NP), middle (M), to near bark (NB) at all three ages and height levels except in the 3-yr middle (1.1665, 1.2032, and 1.1541 mm) and 7-yr butt (1.1541, 1.2326, and 1.2009 mm). Other anatomical properties at three ages showed no consistent trend of variations from NP to NB. The potential uses of younger falcata based on their anatomical properties were for pulp and paper, veneer, and light construction applications where strength and durability are not important.

The physical and mechanical properties of 10 woody vines grown in Quezon, Philippines were determined to assess their suitability for different end-uses such as handles, frames, and weaving materials for various kinds of handicrafts and furniture. The tests were done to compare the properties of the 10 vines species that showed significant differences in physical and mechanical properties. For the physical properties, alagau-baging (Premna subscandens), hinggiw-puti (Melodinus cumingii), and diplay (Rhaphidophora acuminata) gave the lowest green moisture content (35.87, 39.28, and 79.99%, respectively) and smallest diameter (9.16, 7.93, and 9.64%, respectively) and longitudinal shrinkage (0.66, 1.87, and 1.22%, respectively). However, they also showed the highest relative density (0.47, 0.55, and 0.51, respectively). For mechanical properties, the tensile strength (TS) of diplay was significantly higher than other species in split (39.44 MPa) and round (41.78 MPa) forms under green conditions. On the other hand, kamagsang-pula (Agelaea trinervis) (56.34 MPa and 41.48 MPa) and alagau-baging (Premna subscandens) (32.84 MPa and 48.64 MPa) gave the highest TS in split and round forms at 18% MC each. For folding endurance (FE), singkamas-singkamasan (Mucuna reticulata) and hinggiw-tigas (Ficus trichocarpa) had the most folds in split (86 and 83, respectively) and round forms (92 and 98, respectively). The radius of curvature (RC) of sili-sili (Ampelocissus botryostachys) (71.54 mm) was the highest and no failure was observed in diplay (Rhaphidophora acuminata). Moreover, the maximum force of the prototype baskets (132.84 kgf) and trays (129.23 kgf) showed higher than baskets from the commercial species studied (51.97 and 95.35 kgf, respectively). Based on the results of the study, the 10 woody vines are suitable and could be used as alternative raw materials for handles, toys, frames, and weaving materials for handicrafts and furniture.

The study was conducted to determine the physical and mechanical properties of 12 species of climbing bamboo collected from Luzon, Island Philippines, viz. bolo [Cyrtochloa fenixii (Gamble) S. Dransf], baitu (Cyrtochloa hirsuta S. Dransf. comb. nov.), luzon bikal [Cyrtochloa luzonica (Gamble) S. Dransf], bikal baboy [Cyrtochloa major (Pilg.) S. Dransf. comb. nov.], puser [Cyrtochloa puser (Gamble) S. Dransf. comb. nov.], bukawe [Crytochloa toppingii (Gamble) Dransf.], bikal [Dinochloa acutiflora (Munro) S. Dransf. comb. nov.], tagisi (Dinochloa dielsiana Pilger), elmer bikal (Dinochloa elmeri Gamble), baguisan (Dinochloa pubiramea Gamble), bagtok (Cephalostachyum mindorense Gamble), and yaho (Cephalostachyum mindorense Gamble). The physical and mechanical characteristics were determined using the ASTM D143. For physical properties, luzon bikal, bukawe, bagtok, and baitu showed the lowest green MC (64.26, 91.96, 93.40, and 94.25%, respectively) but gave the highest relative density (0.777, 0.603, 0.630, and 0.619, respectively). Baguisan, on the other hand, showed the highest tangential (11.99%), radial (14.28%), and volumetric shrinkage (24.24%). For longitudinal shrinkage, yaho (0.91%) gave the highest value. From the bottom to the top portion, a decrease in MC and an increase in RD were observed. For the shrinkage properties, various trends along the height levels of the bamboo were observed. Various trends in mechanical properties at green condition, highest fiber stress at elastic limit (FSEL), modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were observed on luzon bikal (46.48 MPa, 70.07 MPa, and 11.50 GPa, respectively) and bagtok (40.69 MPa, 79.05 MPa, and 11.36 GPa, respectively). Similarly, these species showed the highest compression parallel-to-grain with node (56.11 and 42.66 MPa, respectively) and without node (58.52 and 44.60 MPa). On the other hand, the highest shear strength with and without node was observed in bagtok (13.22 and 8.68 MPa, respectively) and baitu (10.16 MPa and 7.53 MPa, respectively). The significant differences among species might be due to differences in relative density and height levels. Based on the DOST-FPRDI strength classification, baitu, luzon bikal, bikal baboy, bagtok, yaho, puser, and bukawe are suited to applications where the large diameter is not required such as construction, high-grade furniture, and flooring where both strength and durability are required. Bolo, tagisi, and elmer bikal, on the other hand, are suitable for high-grade furniture, paneling, automobile bodies, and musical instruments, whereas bikal and baguisan are suited for pulp and paper and low-grade furniture. The improved utilization of climbing bamboos can give bamboo growers a wider range of options for plantation establishment and bamboo product manufacturers more choices for their raw materials.