Abstract

Though the stem of coconut palms can be referred to as 'wood', it differs in many respects from conventional wood from hardwood trees or softwood trees (conifers) . It can be seen that stem wood from mature coconut trees which are above 35 years old has high stiffness, comparable to most of the construction timbers available in Kerala. The wood from basal portion of senile palms is comparable to jack and anjili in modulus of rupture. The butt log 5 to 7 m long from overmature and mature trees, both non-diseased and wilt diseased, can be used in construction