Understanding the physical properties of multipurpose trees: A comprehensive analysis

The study was conducted at the Forest College and Research Institute in Tamil Nadu, India, to characterize the physical properties of eight different tree species: Tectona grandis, Swietenia macrophylla, Acrocarpusfraxinifolius, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Casuarina junghuhniana, Neolamarkiacadamba, Pterocarpus marsupium, and Melia dubia. One-meter billets were collected from felled trees of each species, debarked, and cleaned for analysis. The samples were prepared according to the requirements for assessing various physical properties, including bulk and basic density, moisture content, specific gravity, and shrinkage and swelling. The results indicated that all eight species exhibited high moisture content and medium-range density. Understanding these physical properties is crucial for determining the suitability of these species for use in the timber and furniture industries.