Specific gravity, Extractive Content, and Natural Durability of Balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) Wood at 3 and 4 years old

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the specific gravity, extractive content, and natural durability of balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) wood. A total of six trees of balsa at 3 and 4 years old were harvested and cut into the sample of specific gravity, extractive content, and natural durability test. Natural durability was tested according to SNI 01-7207-2006 against dry wood termites (Cryptotermes cynocephalus Light.). Specific gravity, extractive content, mass losses, and termite mortality were measured. Variance analysis was used to find the differences. The results showed that age influenced significantly on specific gravity and mass losses, while axial direction/position influenced significantly on extractive content and mass losses. Variance analysis also showed that radial direction influenced significantly on specific gravity and extractive content. The specific gravity of three years balsa wood is 0.14, which is lower than that of four years old three, which is 0,19. Extractive content in the bottom part (3.95%) is higher than that of in the middle (2.87%) and top (2.74%). Mortality in the bottom part (33.83%) is higher than that of in the middle (10.5%) and top part (5,8%) of the stem. In general, balsa wood is classified into durability class II-III.