Wood anatomical changes in juvenile teak due to insect defoliation

Abstract

Selected anatomical characteristics and wood specific gravity of 8-year-old teak trees protected from insect defoliation were compared with those from an unprotected population. Trees during the protection period of four years showed considerable increase in ring width (growth rate). Although latewood width was more closely correlated with ring width than earlywood width, no significant differences were found in specific gravity, cell wall percentage and diameter and percentage of vessels, probably due to juvenility. Furthermore, no intrinsic relationship could be established between the insect defoliation and the formation of false rings.