Strength properties and natural durability of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) branch wood

Abstract

This paper reports on mechanical properties and natural durability of avocado branch wood (Persea americana Mill.) with the objectives of providing a reliable property profile and to promote the rational use of this abundant yet largely neglected natural resource. The mechanical properties (static bending, compression, shear, impact bending) and hardness were determined in accordance with European standards (CEN). Natural durability was assessed according to the European standard EN 350-1 (agar block test) using the white rot fungi Trametes versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and the brown rot fungus Postia placenta. Avocado trees yield a low to medium density (0,44-0,54-0,64 g/cm3 at 12% mc) branch wood with below average strength under static bending, compression and tension parallel to the grain and average values for longitudinal shear, impact bending and hardness. The wood is rated non-resistant (class 5 according to EN 350-1) and thus is not suitable for exterior applications unless treated. Considering its property profile and the small dimensions available, avocado wood is recommended for general carpentry, furniture, interior paneling, glue-boards for closets and cabinets, and glue-lams for indoor framework.

Cacao Cultivation under Diverse Shade Tree Cover Allows High Carbon Storage and Sequestration without Yield Losses

“…Wood density values for most of the species were obtained from Kotowska et al [ 28 ], who measured ρ in the same study plots. In cases of tree species, for which wood density data was not available from this source, we used data from the World Agroforestry Centre [ http://db.worldagroforestry.org/wd , January 2014] and from other literature sources [ 29 , 30 ]. In two cases, where no information on wood density from these sources was available, we used the plot average of wood density as an estimate (e.g.…”

Prototipo autotérmico móvil para producción de biocarbón con biomasa de esquilmos de aguacate

“…Si bien la información es escasa sobre la cantidad de árboles que requieren poda de mantenimiento anual, algunos autores sugieren un porcentaje del 10% del total de árboles (Fuentes-Talavera et al, 2011). Resultando un valor promedio aproximado de 10 m 3 ha -1…”

“…Existe poca información sobre el volumen de esquilmos que se generan derivados de esta actividad cultural. Fuentes-Talavera et al (2011), estiman una producción de entre 4.75 a 7.36 m 3 por año de madera, considerando un 10% de árboles en poda cada año en una huerta y una densidad de 125 árboles por hectárea.…”

“…Los equipos disponibles en el mercado, son f ijos y algunos autores sugieren que el transporte de la materia prima (biomasa) y del material terminado (biocarbón), es el principal obstáculo para la rentabilidad económica del sistema de biocarbón-pirólisis (Laird et al, 2009;Roberts et al, 2010). Por el contrario, equipos rústicos, de fabricación artesanal, son de tamaño pequeño (~ 0.2 m 3 ) elaborados para pequeños productores, y tienen la desventaja de tener tasas de conversión de biomasa en pequeños volúmenes, de entre 1.15 a 3.33 toneladas de madera o residuos agrícolas por año (Scholz et al, 2014), siendo una limitante en cultivos de aguacate o en sistemas agrícolas, donde se producen altos volúmenes de residuos agrícolas (Fuentes-Talavera et al, 2011;Borja et al, 2013).…”

Shade trees in cacao agroforestry systems: influence on roots and net primary production

“…Wood density values for most of the species were obtained from Kotowska et al (2015), who measured ρ in the same study plots. In cases of tree species, for which wood density data was not available from this source, we used data from the World Agroforestry Centre (http://db.worldagroforestry.org/wd, January 2014) and from other literature sources (Fuentes-Talavera et al 2011 andBaker et al 2004). In two cases, where no information on wood density from these sources was available, we used the plot average of wood density as an estimate (e.g.…”