Orange Wood for Parquet and Engineered Flooring Use

Abstract

Orange is a fruit of the Citrus genus in the family Rutaceae. It is assumed to have originated in southern Asia, and to have been first cultivated in China around 2500 BC. There is little knowledge on the quality of wood from orange trees, which is occasionally used in fine woodwork, tool handles, mosaics, and marquetry. This work aimed to evaluate the possibility of using orange wood from agricultural conversions and orchard plantation renewals to make products with a high value. Logs from plantations located in southern Italy were collected, and the key aspects for determining the suitability of using the wood as flooring were examined. Laboratory tests were carried out to determine the shrinkage, dimensional stability, and surface hardness, which included an indentation test on the wood flooring. Drying trials were also performed, and prototypes of flooring were prepared so professionals and end users could evaluate the aesthetic value. The results confirmed that the wood from orange trees is fine-grained, and is characterized by a high density and shrinkage, average dimensional stability, and high surface hardness. The results of the tests suggested performing careful drying and following specific procedures according to the size of the elements. The wood was highly appreciated by the users, which confirmed the possibility of using this wood as a renewable raw material, despite the limited availability, for manufacturing high-quality products.