K. M. Brat , P. K. Thulasidas

Abstract

Physical and mechanical testing of 30-year-old Eucalyptus grandis and 16-year-old E. tereticornis reveals that timber of the former is lighter and weaker than the latter. Shrinkage appears to begin in the early stage of drying when the moisture content is above 50-60%. Both the species show about 80-95% of the bending and 66-81 % of the compression (parallel to grain) strength values of mature teak indicating their suitability for solid wood uses. As compared with the reported values of bending strength, E. tereticornis is found about 11% weaker than that grown in drier localities of North India.

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K. M. Brat , P. K. Trulasidas , P. S. Easa

Abstract

Data for minimum, mean and maximum bark fibre length of 30 Indian timbers are reported. Shortest bark fibres with a mean of 0.86 mm, were found in Mimusops elengi and the longest, with a mean of 4.18 mm. in Ficus hispida. Of the 30 species studied, four species had short-fibre bark (mean value of < 1 mm), three species long-fibre bark (mean value of > 2 mm) while the mojority bad the bark with medium-size fibres (mean value of 1-2 mm). Bark-fibre length was, by and large, greater than wood fibre length. Two species, viz. Bischofia javanica and Dillenia pentagyna did not show the presence of fibres in the bark.

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