Specific mass and moisture content along the stem for cordia trichotoma and cordia americana and their correlations

Abstract

The variation in the specific mass of the wood may occur between and among species and even within the same tree, understanding the behavior of this property, through the relationship between species of the same genus is interesting in order to estimate the uses of these woods. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the specific mass and moisture content along the stem for Cordia trichotoma and Cordia americana and their correlations regarding physical properties.  The trees selected from both individuals were sectioned in discs in the relative positions of 25, 50, 75 and 100%, considering the commercial height determined from the first live branch, as well as at 0.10 m (stump height) and at the DAP (1.30 m from the soil), from where wedges were removed to determine the longitudinal variation and correlations of moisture content, basic specific mass, apparent air-dried (14 to 15% in the study region) and saturated. The results indicated a decrease in the values of all specific masses in the base-to-pound positions for the two forest species analyzed, inverse variation to that presented by the moisture content of the material. Based on the analyzed data, the physical parameters of the wood of both species presented positive correlations between them. The arithmetic mean values of basic specific mass for the woods of C. trichotoma and C. americana, 0.379 and 0.484 g/cm³, respectively, characterize the materials for use in the manufacture of furniture, sliced veneers and valuable parts turned.