Investigating Storage Time to Minimize End-Splitting in Eucalyptus Nitens Logs

Abstract

The selection of Eucalyptus nitens (H. Deane & Maiden) logs for higher value-added products is complex, due to the presence of radial and longitudinal splits as a result of growth stress, which reduces their utilization in solid products. The objective of this research was to determine the limited time for the utilization of the logs to increase their use in higher value-added products. Forty trees with two 4 m logs were used. The radius (r t ), radial, and end-splitting along the log (R long ) were measured on days 0 and 1 in the forest and later on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, at the Universidad del B ıo-B ıo, where they remained under sprinkler irrigation and covered with polyethylene plastic. The relative splitting index (SI) was determined as (R max /r t ) per log. The results showed that there were significant differences in the maximum endsplitting indicator (R max ) with log height and storage time. The SI indicator showed significant differences with storage time, being a better fit than R max . The linear model that showed the relationship between the external openings of the splits and the longitudinal split had a coefficient of determination (r 2 ) of 0.77.