ANATOMICAL, PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SALT TOLERANT TREE SPECIES GROWN IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

摘要

Some anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of four tree species were studied. Twelve wood logs each ofEucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia nilotica, Prosopis juliflora and Tamarix aphylla, collected from two saline sites nearLahore and Faisalabad, were analyzed in both green and air-dry (12% moisture) conditions. The tested tree species differedgreatly with respect to different wood quality parameters. Maximum density (842 kg m-3) was observed in P. juliflorafollowed by E. camaldulensis (817 kg m-3), A. nilotica (701 kg m-3) and T. aphylla (635 kg m-3). Static bending strength wasfound maximum (1240 kg cm-2) in A. nilotica and minimum (778 kg cm-2) in T. aphylla. The modulus of elasticity rangedfrom 53735 to 86977 kg cm-2 with maximum value in A. nilotica and minimum in T. aphylla. The crushing strength parallelto grain was observed maximum in P. juliflora (610 kg cm-2) and minimum in A. nilotica (321 kg cm-2). Cleavage value wasobserved maximum (40 kg cm-1) in P. juliflora and minimum (31 kg cm-1) in E. camaldulensis.The results of impactbending indicated that the wood of P. juliflora has maximum (4.35 kg m-1) tendency to absorb sudden shocks and minimumin T. aphylla (1.47 kg m-1). Calorific value was observed maximum in E. camaldulensis (4900 kcal kg-1) and minimum in T.aphylla (4607 kcal kg-1). Overall, it is concluded that all tested tree species have strength properties comparable withDalbergia sissoo wood and thus have good utilization potential for different wood products.