Abstract

Acacia mangium, in the recent years, has achieved wide popularity in the private sector plantation programmes in Kerala, India, as a multi-purpose fast growing species. As no data on growth and wood properties of Kerala grown A. mangium were available, a preliminary study was conducted during 1994-96 to evaluate the performance of this species. Trees of age I to 13 years available either singly or from plantations in different parts of the Kerala State were used for the study. Growth studies revealed an average girth at breast height (GBH) of 112 cm for trees of age 10 years. The wood properties of 8 to 10-year-old trees were evaluated. Basic density of stem wood was in the range of 425-575 kg/m3, with the mean value of 500kg/m3. The average bark thickness was in the range of 0.4-0.6 cm. The mean heartwood content was about 50. As far as the physical properties of the branch wood was concerned, it was found that branch wood was denser than stem wood, the mean value of branch wood density being 570kg/m3. The effective heartwood content of commercially utilisable branches was about 28, and this was lower than that of stem wood. Casual observations indicated that the timber is non-durable; the sapwood is susceptible to insect borer attack and heartwood to termite attack. It is advisable to treat the timber with preservatives. The assessment of the potential of timber from 8 to 10 year-old trees indicated that for better physical and mechanical properties required for specific end-uses, it is advisable to harvest the trees at a later age. The data for physical and mechanical properties reveal that the timber is 'light to moderately heavy' and moderately strong. It appears to be suitable for all uses of general purpose