Wood Density and Fiber Length of Eucalyptus Grandis Grown in Kerala, India

Abstract

Wood density and fiber length of Eucalyptus grandis were studied in trees of four age groups (3, 5, 7, and 9 years).The average basic density was 495 kg m-3 at 3 years and there was no significant increase from 3 to 9 years, whereas 5-year-old trees had a significantly lower value.Fiber length increased consistently with age and fibers of 3-year-old trees (mean 0.81 mm) were about 29% shorter than those of 9-year-old trees (1.15 mm).Density did not differ significantly between the locations, but fibers were longer in one location where trees had faster growth.Density declined from stump level to 25% of tree height and then gradually increased towards the top in a curvilinear manner, whereas fiber length commonly showed the reverse trend.In 5-, 7-and 9-year-old trees, average tree density could be predicted with reasonable accuracy using breast height density, but stump level density was a better predictor of average tree density in 3-year-old trees.