Wood and Bark of Eucalyptus and Acacia in Pure and Mixed Stands

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the variation of the bark content and thickness, and wood basic density of Eucalyptus and Acacia planted in pure and mixed stands. Five trees of Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis and Acacia mangium were investigated in pure and mixed stands, totaling 20 trees. The content and thickness of the bark produced by Acacia in monoculture (47.5% and 1.32 cm) were approximately three times higher than those from mixed stand (15.2% and 0.51 cm). From these results, it can be concluded that there is no significant mean difference between the density for Eucalyptus and Acacia wood from the pure and mixed plantings. However, there is significant longitudinal variation of basic density of Acacia and Eucalyptus wood from pure and mixed stand, indicating differences in the wood quality from logs managed for multiple use.

Keywords:
monoculture; mixed planting; phloem; xylem; density; wood