Effect of the lateral growth rate on wood properties in fast-growing hardwood species

Abstract

We investigated the feasibility of using several fast-growing tropical or subtropical hardwood species for timber production by measuring key wood qualities in relationship to the high rates of lateral growth. The trees tested were sampled from even-aged plantations of Acacia mangium, A. auriculiformis, hybrid Acacia(A.mangium × A. auriculiformis), Eucalyptus grandis, E. globulus, and Paraserianthes falcataria (Solomon and Java origin) that had already reached commercial harvesting age. The released strain of the surface growth stress (RS), xylem density (XD), microfibril angle (MFA), and fiber length (FL) were measured at the outermost part of the xylem at breast height in each tree. Results were then compared to the lateral growth rate (radius/age) at breast height, which provides a relative indicator of the amount of tree growth per year. Our findings indicated that RS was constant, regardless of lateral growth rate in each species. Similar results were observed for XD, MFA, and FL, with a few exceptions, suggesting that high growth rates do not intrinsically affect the wood properties of fast-growing tropical or subtropical species that have reached harvesting age. However, special attention must be paid to patterns of xylem maturation when developing plantations of such species.

Effects of radial growth rate on anatomical characteristics and wood properties of 10-year-old <i>Dysoxylum mollissimum</i> trees planted in Bengkulu, Indonesia

“…In the present study, no significant differences were found among three categories in almost all characteristics and properties, except for vessel element length and cell wall thickness of wood fiber (Table 2). These results are similar to those obtained in Kojima's research on several fast-growing tree species (Kojima et al 2009b). Based on the results, we conclude that, in D. mollissimum, faster radial growth characteristics do not always result in the production of wood of lower quality.…”

“…Therefore, we conclude that wood properties, including basic density and Young's modulus of D. mollissimum trees, are independent from growth characteristics. Kojima et al (2009b) examined growth stress, wood density, microfibril angle, and wood fiber length in several fast-growing tree species. They found that, with a few exceptions, these characteristics are constant, regardless of the Fig.…”

Characterization of natural provenances of Acacia mangium Willd. and Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. in Malaysia based on phenotypic traits

“…Conversely crooked, twisted trunk of A. auriculiform makes it unsuitable for timber production (Kojima et al 2009). Similarly, although Acacia hybrids prove superior to the parents, they still carry inferior parental traits such as high lignin content, low wood density, short fibre, resistance to insect pests, disease resistance and problems associated with production of viable seeds and recalcitrant germination either naturally or through controlled pollination (Kijkar 1992;Wickneswari, Norwati 1993).…”

Utilization of STMS markers to verify admixture in clonal progenies of Acacia mapping populations and relabelling using assignment tests

“…For example, A. mangium is highly susceptible to heart rot disease. The conversely crooked, twisted trunk of A. auriculiform makes it unsuitable for timber production (Kojima et al 2009). Acacia hybrids although prove superior than parents still carry inferior parental traits such as high lignin content, low wood density, small fibre length and problems associated with production of viable seeds and recalcitrant germination either naturally or through controlled pollination (Kijar 1992;Wickneswari, Norwati 1992).…”