Heartwood durability of Dyera costulata, Neolamarckia cadamba and Khaya ivorensis trees from fast-growth plantations against subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus

Abstract

Abstract To preserve natural forests, forest plantations with fast-growing species are promoted. In the present work, the heartwood durabilities of Dyera costulata, Neolamarckia cadamba and Khaya ivorensis, from both plantations and natural forests, have been tested in comparison with rubberwood in laboratory and above-ground tests against the subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus. Both young trees from forest thinning and mature trees were tested. The results show that there is no significant difference in weight loss between planted trees and trees from a natural forest. The results were also compared with those of rubberwood.