Rational utilization of plantation grown Acacia mangium willd

Abstract

Acacia mangium Willd., a leguminous tree species of the sub-family mimosoideae and native of North Queens land, Australia, along with Acacia auriculaeformis is finding wide acceptance for afforestation and adaptable to widely differing soils on degraded land and on hill slopes overgrown with weeds. Because of fast growth and straight bole it has achieved wide popularity and many planters, progressive farmers and forest departments have raised the plantation in Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Kerala and in many parts of the country. As this species is raised for pulp and paper, several enquiries are received from the above said planters and forest departments about its properties and engineering utility and suitability of this species for its commercial uses. Therefore, various anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of 18-year-old plantation grown A. mangium Willd. from Orissa have been studied to evaluate the wood quality parameters for recommending the timber for various end use applications. The timber exhibits distinct sapwood and heartwood. The heartwood is brownish yellow in colour, medium textured and lustrous. Based on testing results on physical and mechanical properties, suitability indices were computed and timber is classified as extremely heavy, hard, very strong, tough, and liable to warp and crack badly. The wood is found suitable for furniture, door and window frames and shutters and utility items for household goods like tables, teapoys etc. The experience of artisans working in the handicraft design and development centers has indicated the potential of the timber for making export orientated artifacts because of the glossy and smooth surface finish after polishing.