Abstract

SANTOS, José António; SANTOS, Joana; BORRALHO, Nuno  and  ARAUJO, José. Characterization and Potential Use of Eucalyptus Hybrids Wood . Silva Lus. [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.1, pp.63-81. ISSN 0870-6352.

Eight clones of hybrids of eucalyptus wood and one clone of Eucalyptus globules, Labill. were studied for evaluation of its potential as solid wood. The wood corresponds to young trees and was characterized physically and mechanically and even through the relevant transformation processes, namely sawing and drying. For this last operation, thermal treatments for stabilization and releasing of internal stresses were applied. During the sawing and thicknessing operations the yield of the exploitation of the wood was evaluated, as the quality and registration of all defects. Finally, the differentiation of the quality and potential uses were established, on the basis of physical, mechanical and technological properties of each clone, this last criterion being the most decisive one. As a result of the analysis, one group of two clones were recognized as presenting good characteristics for use as solid wood, as much as for the easiness of processing as due to satisfactory raw material yield and decorative aspect. Three other clones presented intermediate characteristics, and finally a group of four clones was classified as presenting unsatisfactory behavior, due to its difficulty of laboring and occurrence of many and serious defects. The conclusions of this study can have very high economic importance, through the recommendation for reforestation with new fast growth trees producing good quality and highly decorative wood.

Keywords : hybrid clones of eucalyptus; laboring; technology; drying; collapse.

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