Specific Gravity as Wood Quality Attribute of Anthocleista djalonensis -A Tree Lesser-Used-Species in Rivers State

Abstract

This study was conducted in Tai, Eleme and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas all in Rivers State, materials were collected from two locations each and to determine the specific gravity of Anthocleista djalonensis woods in radial (core wood, middle wood and outer wood near the bark) and axial (top, middle and base) directions.  Three standing trees were selected and cut from each diameter classes of 3-10 in, 11-15 in and 16-25 in with a diameter tape at strategic positions of 25%, 50%, and 75% of merchantable. Completely randomized design (CRD) was used as the experimental design with five treatments replicated three times. The results showed that there was significant difference (P≤0.05) between diameter classes (DC) and the locations:  (16-25 in) in UST had highest SG (0.72) followed by DC of 11-15in and the lowest 3-10in followed by Eleme with similar trend while Tai (11-15in) class Tai had highest at the top and lowest in the 3-10in diameter class.  This showed that there were location and age effects as correlation coefficient (r) among the locations showed high significance between Eleme and Tai (r<0.915**), UST and Tai (r<0.965**) and UST and Eleme (r<0.845**). It is a moderate heavy wood and could be used in service where appearance and dimensional stability are important: it is placed in the n- Millwork/European Joinery Grades - these are tight-knotted materials which can be used or be reconstituted or remanufactured components-engineered wood products (EWP) with no blow effects. Since this species has fairly consistent specific gravity relative to locations, the use of this wood is recommended to wood users.

Keywords: Specific gravity, Anthocleista djalonensis , axial, radial, wood quality