Effects of Tree Portion and Radial Position on Physical and Chemical Properties of Kelampayan (Neolamarckia cadamba) Wood

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the physical and chemical properties of Kelampayan wood. Three Kelampayan trees were sampled at the bottom, middle, and top and partitioned into sections described as near pith, intermediate, and near bark. The TAPPI standard T258 om-94 (1995) was followed to determine the physical properties including moisture content and specific gravity. Overall, the moisture content decreased from the bottom to the top portions and from near pith to near bark. The specific gravity increased with height and when moving from the inside to the outside of the stem. No significant variations were found among tree portions with cold water extractable content and ash content. The properties of Kelampayan in this study were comparable to rubberwood, which is the most common species used to make wood-based products in Malaysia