Caracterización de la madera joven de Tectona grandis L. f. plantada en Brasil

Abstract

Teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) is considered one of the most valuable timbers due to its excellent physical and aesthetic properties. In Brazil, this species is widely planted because of its adaptation to the climatic conditions of the country and its short rotation age (20-25 years). Rapid growth is an important factor in the quality and end use suitability of the wood considering that it generates a higher proportion of juvenile wood, often with lower characteristics than mature wood. The aim of this study was to determinate some physical and mechanical properties of juvenile wood of Tectona grandis L. f. and compare with data observed in teakwood from plantations in other places around the world. The proportion of sapwood and heartwood, pith eccentricity, basic density, stiffness, strength and dimensional shrinkage were determined. The findings showed that, although it was non-mature wood, the characteristics of Brazil plantations teak wood resemble the mature teak wood from plantations elsewhere. The content of heartwood, dimensional stability and stiffness were higher than those found in the literature for teak wood with similar age range: so brazilian non-mature teak wood from plantations is suitable for a variety of uses.