Wood and Veneer Properties of Fast Growing Species from Batai, Eucalyptus and Kelampayan

Anatomical, physical, chemical and veneer properties of wood are important aspect that affect applicability of wood based product. This study is focused on three fast growing species of Batai (Paraserianthes falcataria), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pellita) and Kelampayan (Neolamarckia cadamba). All trees were cut into three height portion (bottom, middle and top) and wood disc samples are taken for anatomical, physical and chemical determination from each part of height. Meanwhile veneer properties were determined for veneer sheet after peeling and drying process. Eucalyptus shows the highest number of vessel for 16 mm2 area and near pith has higher frequency of vessel occurrence than near bark. The highest specific gravity for Batai, Eucalyptus and Kelampayan were found in bottom portion, followed by middle and top portion. Percentages of moisture content for this tree species is increased going from bottom to top portion. Cold and hot water, alcohol toluene, ash content and lignin content were found to have significant differences for top, middle and bottom of tree portion. The highest of percentage of veneer shrinkage was shown by Kelampayan veneer. Meanwhile, Batai veneer exhibited the lowest contact angle. As the conclusion, species and tree portions were found to be significantly affected for the anatomical, physical and chemical properties. For veneer analysis, species were found to affect veneer parameters. The results are of importance in order to optimize the production of plywood from fast growing species in Malaysia.

The Causal-Effect between Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Forestry Production and Trade: A Case Study in Ghana

In this study, the causal-effect between carbon dioxide emissions and forestry production and trade was investigated in Ghana by employing a data spanning from 1961 to 2014 by using the VECM and ARDL model. Evidence of the long-run equilibrium relationship in the VECM shows that, a 1% increase in veneer sheet production reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 1.47% in the long-run. There was evidence of a bidirectional causality between carbon dioxide emissions and veneer sheet production, carbon dioxide emissions and wood charcoal production, and a unidirectional causality running from carbon dioxide emissions to wood fuel production and plywood production to carbon dioxide emissions. Evidence from the long-run equilibrium relationship in the ARDL model shows that; a 1% increase in plywood production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.17% in the long-run, a 1% increase in sawnwood production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.17% in the long-run, a 1% increase in wood charcoal production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.36% in the long-run and a 1% increase in wood fuel production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.37% in the long-run.

Genetic improvement for pulpwood and peeled veneer in Eucalyptus nitens

Genetic improvement of wood properties affecting the quality of pulpwood and peeled veneer products is of general interest to tree breeders worldwide. If the wood properties of Eucalyptus nitens (H. Deane & Maiden) Maiden are under genetic control and the correlations between them are favourable, it may be possible to breed to simultaneously improve the plantation resource for both products. Acoustic wave velocity (AWV) measured in standing trees can predict wood stiffness, basic density, and kraft pulp yield (KPY) and therefore has the potential for use in tree breeding programs. From an E. nitens progeny trial in Tasmania, 540 trees were selected for rotary peeling. Of the wood properties assessed, there were significant differences among races in diameter, stem straightness, standing-tree, log, and billet AWV, and near infrared predicted cellulose content (CC). All traits displayed significant within-race genetic variation, and genetic correlations between AWV and veneer sheet modulus of elasticity (MOE) and between AWV and KPY and CC were strongly positive and highly significant. A similar relationship was found between veneer sheet MOE and KPY and between diameter at breast height and veneer sheet MOE. Basic density was genetically correlated with AWV and veneer sheet MOE. Results indicate that it should be possible for breeders to simultaneously improve properties in pulpwood and peeled veneer products and that AWV measured in the standing tree shows promise as a breeding selection criterion for both pulpwood and peeled veneer products.