Abstract

Static bending tests and compression tests parallel to the grain were conducted on coconut (Cocos nucifera) stemwood from non-diseased over-mature palms and wilt-diseased palms of different age groups to determine fibre strength at limit of proportionality (FSLP), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), work to maximum load (WML) and maximum crushing strength (MCS) . Wilt disease did not have any adverse effect on strength properties. Though in general age did not affect the strength properties significantly, over-mature palms had significantly higher MOE values than that of younger palms. Strength properties of coconut wood from over-mature palms compare quite well with those of other structural timbers. Stemwood from wilt-diseased palms of adequate density can also be used for construction purposes