Heartwood and sapwood in eucalyptus: species and age influence on the technological properties

Author(s)

Sabrina Galetti Cherelli

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Botucatu. 2015-05-14.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas. Botucatu
• Defense date: 2015-01-14
• Advisor: Adriano Wagner Ballarin

Abstract

One characteristic that mostly differentiates wood regions of a tree is the formation of heartwood and sapwood. The conceptual bases that established the precise definition and general physiological aspects involved in the formation of sapwood and heartwood were consolidated in the 60s, 70s and 80s of the last century. More recently, the studies have mainly focused the heartwood volume determination related to position along the stem and age of trees. This study aims to deeply knowledge about heartwood and sapwood from young (ages 2-6 years) and old trees (older than 18 years) of Eucalyptus sp., trying to determine, for young trees, the initial age of heartwood characterization, characteristics that are mostly affected in heartwood by aging and tree development site and, for old trees, the properties that are mostly affected in heartwood depending the species. Were evaluated young trees of two clones of different productivity in two sites of different performances and adult trees of E. grandis Hill ex. Maiden, E. saligna, E. tereticornis and C. citriodora. In young and adult trees were performed anatomical analyzes (macroscopic) for distinction between heartwood and sapwood, physical analysis (basic density, apparent density and densitometric radial profiles) and chemical analysis in each of the portions of the wood. In adult trees were also performed shrinkage tests, Janka hardness and compression parallel to grain in each portion of the wood studied. This study has some particular characteristics discerning from previous studies, highlighting the possibility of studying samples of clonal plantations (characterizing environmental effect, therefore) and contemporary analytical techniques, which are more potent and effectiveness, whereby the GC-MS – gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The results for young Eucalyptus trees show that at two years of age they already had heartwood capable ... (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/18704-1 - Heartwood and sapwood in Eucalyptus: influence of species and age on the technological properties
• Grantee: Sabrina Galetti Cherelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master