Timber management practices and timber species used by small scale furniture workshops in Uganda

Abstract

A study was done in Kampala District, Central Uganda, to document the timber species and timber management practices used in furniture workshops. A check list was used to document the common timber species, their grades, moisture contents and related timber management practices in furniture workshops. Results showed that Albizia coriaria, Markhamia lutea and Chrysophyllum albidum were the most common species while Khaya spp, Milicia excelsa and Olea spp were the least used species in the furniture workshops. Sixty nine percent of the furniture workshops lacked timber storage sheds, whereas only 3% had the recommended timber stacks. Majority (95%) of the carpenters in the furniture workshops did not season timber and hence the moisture content of the timber ranged from 31% to 35%. Forty nine percent of the workshops exposed their finished products to environmental and weather deterioration. The commonest type of wood waste was planer shavings which were not utilised effectively. Since 97% of carpenters did not grade timber, the quality of their products was inherently poor. The study concluded that several lesser known timber species were used for making furniture amidst very poor timber management. The study recommends that the government of Uganda through its policyimplementing arms should create awareness programmes to carpenters on efficient timber management practices. Further research on physical, processing and strength properties of the documented species should be undertaken so as to improve their utilisation.

Ethno-botanical study of the African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don) in the Southern Benin (West Africa)

“…Although the species was reported to be highly valued as timber in another regions (Uganda for instance) due to the appreciable physical and mechanical properties of its woods [ 46 ], this was not the case in the southern Benin (Plateau of Allada). The species was generally only cut down in the case of other land use such as house building or road construction.…”

The Level of Utilization of Secondary Timber Species among Furniture Producers

“…Zziwa et al [36] explained that in order to increase the raw material base for furniture product manufacturing, an increase in the use of LUS to supplement the supply of primary timbers need encouraged. This, according to Ssseremba et al [37], would preserve firms, keep the sector operational and prevent job losses.…”

“…However, this study showed that only 15% of manufacturers use LUS such as Celtis spp., M. indica and A. indica for furniture production. Sseremba et al [37] found M. indica among several other secondary timbers used for furniture-making in Uganda. It was further observed that none of the respondents had ever used K. gabonensis in their operations.…”

“…Similarly, Ayarkwa [51] and Effah and Osei [63] mentioned that dissemination of research results among wood workers about new timber species that could serve the same purpose as their already utilized counterparts would enhance their utilization. Sseremba et al [37] explained that accessibility of data regarding the characteristics and uses of LUS such as M. indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus improved their acceptance and utilization by Ugandan furniture manufacturers. It could be understood from the results that the level of utilization of LUS, the likely alternatives for furnituremaking, is low among manufacturers because information on their characteristics and uses are not readily available.…”

Proximate and Underlying Causes of Illegal Timber Trade in Uganda

“…Currently, timber trade is increasingly reliant on production from trees and forests on private lands. The most common species for timber in Uganda are Maesopsis eminii, Melicia excelsa, Albizia coriaria, Chrysophyllum albidum, Lovoa trichiliodes, Funtumia elastica, Entandophragma angolense, and Podocarpus latifolius [5][6][7]. Recently demand for timber from pine trees (Pinus caribaea, Pinus patula) is on the rise [6].…”