Abstract

Rubber plantations have become a major source of timber. Rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis), in round form, is available to the tune of 840, 000 m3 in the market, which may go up to 1. 0 to 1. 5 million Cubic meter in the near future. A sustained availability of rubber wood is ensured because of the replanting programme of spent trees after economical production of latex. It is a light-coloured, medium density timber and has strength properties comparable to many commonly used timbers. Although rubber wood has limitations like its susceptibility to attack by biological organisms, presence of tension wood, etc., it can be put to effective use after preservative treatment and kiln drying. Different methods of treatment and drying are described. The importance of certification scheme to ensure acceptance of processed rubber wood with confidence is emphasized