Radial and among-clonal variations of the stress-wave velocity, wood density, and mechanical properties in 5-year-old Acacia auriculiformis clones

Abstract

Radial and between-clone variations in stress-wave velocity, air-dry density (AD), and mechanical properties in six clones of 5-year-old Acacia auriculiformis trees planted in Vietnam were investigated. The potential to predict modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) using stress-wave velocity of standing trees (SWVT) or small specimens (SWVS) was also examined. The examined SWVT, SWVS, and wood properties differed significantly among clones, particularly with two (clones 1 and 6) well suited for A. auriculiformis tree breeding programs focusing on lumber production, as they had the highest static bending values and no significant difference in AD between positions near pith and bark. At the specimen level, the best prediction of static bending properties could be achieved when both SWVS and AD were used in a model for calculation of dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEd) in air-dry conditions. Significant correlations between SWVT and average MOE (r = 0.83) and MOR (r = 0.61) of test specimens indicated that the use of stress-wave technique for assessing MOE and MOR for selecting the best A. auriculiformis clones in terms of lumber performance was possible.