Heartwood, sapwood and bark content of teak trees grown in Karnataka, India

Abstract

We evaluated heartwood, sapwood and bark content in teak trees. A total of 27 sample plots were laid out in teak plantations raised by State Forest Department in Karnataka covering different age groups (11–36 years), density (516–2061 trees/ha) and sites. From these plantations, a total of 130 trees were felled for estimating the yield and bark content in relation to diameter at breast height (DBH), age and density. Bark content ranged from 22.2%–54.3%. Heartwood and sapwood content were analyzed by sampling five trees each from two different plantations, one 30 years old at 553 trees·ha⁻¹ and the other 32 years old at 911 trees·ha⁻¹. The highest heartwood proportion of stem wood volume (over-bark) was 56.3% and the lowest was 37.1%. The sapwood proportion ranged from 12.9%–23.0%, while the bark content ranged from 27.8%–43.5%. The heartwood proportion increased with DBH, while the proportion of bark decreased. The sapwood proportion did not vary with DBH. The bark content decreased with increasing age, but increased with stand density. There was no significant difference in heartwood content with respect to age or stand density because the ages of the two stands were similar. A larger dataset from young to mature stands is needed to describe the relationships between age and stand density and heartwood, sapwood and bark content of trees.

Keywords

diameter at breast height (DBH) / age / stand density / heartwood / sapwood / bark / teak / India

References

[1] Arce VH. Relación albura-duramen y características físicas de la madera de teca (Tectona grandis) en plantaciones de diez años con dos diferentes densidades de plantación en Playa Garza, Guanacaste, 2001 36.

[2] Bailleres H, Durang P. Non-destructive techniques for wood quality assessments of plantation-grown teak. Bois et Forest des Tropiques, 2000, 263(1): 17-28.

[3] Ball JB, Pandey D, Hirai S. Global overview of teak plantations. Proceedings of the Regional Seminar on ‘Site, Technology and Productivity of teak plantations’. Chiang Mai, Thailand, 26–29 January 1999, 2000 11 34

[4] Bamber RK. Heartwood, its function and formation. Wood Science and Technology, 1976, 10(1): 1-8.

[5] Bhat KM. A note on heartwood proportion and wood density of 8-year-old teak. The Indian Forester, 1995, 121(6): 514-516.

[6] Bhat KM. Properties of fast-grown teakwood: Impact on end-user’s requirements. Journal of Tropical Forest Products, 1998, 4(1): 1-10.

[7] Bhat KM. Timber quality of teak from managed tropical plantations with special reference to Indian plantations. Bois et Forêts des Tropiques, 2000, 263(1): 6-15.

[8] Bhat KM, Priya PB, Rugmini P. Characterization of juvenile wood in teak. Wood Science and Technology, 2001, 34(6): 517-532.

[9] Bhat KM, Hwan O Ma. Teak growers unite. ITTO Tropical Forest Update, 2004, 14(1): 3-5.

[10] Brennan GK, Radomiljac AM. Preliminary observations on the utilization and wood properties of plantation teak (Tectona grandis) and African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) grown near Kununurra, Western Australia. Australian Forestry, 1998, 61(2): 120-126.

[11] Datta SK, Kumar A. Histochemical studies of the transition from sapwood to heartwood in Tectona grandis. IAWQ Bulletin, 1987, 8(4): 363-368.

[12] Hillis WE. Heartwood and tree exudates. 1987, Berlin: Springer Verlag, 281

[13] Horne JEM. Teak in Nigeria. Nigerian Forestry Information Bulletin (New Series) No. 16, 1966 38.

[14] Kadambi K. Silviculture and management of teak. 1972, Texas: Bulletin 24, School of Forestry, Stephen F. Austin State University, 25.

[15] Kokutze AD, Bailleres H, Stokes A, Kokou K. Proportion and quality of heartwood in Tongolese teak. Forest Ecology and Management, 2004, 189: 37-48.

[16] Morataya R, Galloway G, Berninger F, Kanninen M. Foliage biomass-sapwood (area and volume) relationships of Tectona grandis L.F. and Gmelina arborea Roxb.: silvicultural implications. Forest Ecology and Management, 1999, 113: 231-239.

[17] Nair MNB, Chavan RR. Dimensional analysis of some wood parameters in eleven timber trees. The Indian Forester, 1885, 111(6): 410-417.

[18] Okuyama T, Yamamoto H, Wahyudi I, Hadi YS, Bhat KM. Growth stresses and some wood quality attributes in planted teak. Proceedings of the IUFRO Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2000 154.

[19] Oteng-Amoako AA. Making the grade. ITTO Tropical Forest Update, 2004, 14(1): 6-7.

[20] Pandey D. Forest plantation areasi, 1995, 1998 94.

[21] Perez LD, Kanninen M. Heartwood, sapwood and bark content, and wood dry density of young and mature teak (Tectona grandis) trees grown in Costa Rica. Silva Fennica, 2003, 37(1): 45-54.

[22] Priya PB, Bhat KM. Influence of rainfall, irrigation and age on the growth periodicity and wood structure in teak (Tectona grandis). IAWA Journal, 1999, 20(2): 181-192.

[23] Tewari DN. A monograph on teak (Tectona grandis). 1999, Dehra Dun, India: International Book Distributors, 235.

[24] Trockenbrodt M, Josue J. Wood properties and utilization potential of plantation teak (Tectona grandis) in Malaysia — A critical review. Journal of Tropical Forest Products, 1998, 5(1): 58-70.

[25] White KJ. Teak-some aspects of research and development. 1991, Bangkok, Thailand: FAO, 44.