Abstract

Sawnwood from wilt-diseased coconut palms (Cocos nucifera, infected with an MLO-related root wilt) from Kerala was treated either with 2 copper-chrome-arsenate preservative under pressure, or with a 16 boric acid equivalent solution by the diffusion process. The aim was to produce treated diseased wood of all ages suitable for internal structural purposes. The study used sawnwood prepared from the base of young (15-25 yr), mature (35-45 yr) and over-mature (55-65 yr) palms, and from the middle portion of mature and over-mature palms. The dry salt retention of preservative chemicals decreased with the increase in age of the palm and density of wooddensity generally increased with age of the palm and decreased with height. The strong negative relation between density and dry salt retention obtained indicates that preservative solution strength can be varied, if necessary, to reach the required retention of chemicals. The study showed that the stemwood of wilt-diseased coconut