Characterization of Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F. Blake and Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake juvenile wood in Brazilian Savanna soil

Abstract

The need to understand variations of wood characteristics in alternative species that have fast growth and good quality for the consumer market has been increasing given the prominent technological development of wood. This study aimed to evaluate the wood basic density and the anatomical characteristics of Schizolobium parahyba and Eucalyptus urophylla 3-year old juvenile wood planted in savanna soil in a 3x3m spacing. Wood disks and samples were cut in different longitudinal (base-top) and radial (pith-bark) positions from five trees per species to determine the wood's basic density and fiber and vessel dimensions. The Schizolobium parahyba wood presented (i) lower basic density, vessel size and vessel frequency, and (ii) higher wood fiber width and diameter than Eucalyptus urophylla. The average wood basic density was 0.27 g/cm³ for S. prahyba and 0.40 g/cm³ for E. urophylla wood.