Investigating Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mahogany Root Wood (Khaya ivorensis) for its Utilization

The growing need for wood in construction and furniture production has led to a gradual increase for interest in other tree components, such as the use of root wood. However, to evaluate the quality of wood, one must consider its mechanical, anatomical, and physical characteristics. African mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) is a hard and durable wood that has been over-exploited. However, its other tree components, such as root wood, are available and considered waste left to rot. This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties of mahogany root wood and known properties of other wood species as an alternative base for wood resources. Root samples were extracted from three trees with three roots each, with average diameters of 54.3 cm, 23.3 cm, and 20.6 cm for trees 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and prepared according to BS 373 standard. All tests were investigated at the Kumasi CSRI (FORIG) laboratory. The results indicated that the root wood of the species dried at 17 - 20 % MC proved to be as good a material as its stem wood and branch wood counterparts in terms of physical and mechanical properties. Basic density values averaged 508 kg/m3, 531 kg/m3, and 569 kg/m3 across the roots. The green moisture content was 80 %, 76 % and 70 % for tree 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Average shrinkage was 0.84 %, 4.58 %, and 6.28 %, respectively, in longitudinal, tangential, and radial direction. MOE recorded 6724.4 MPa, 9276.0 MPa and 10010.0 MPa, MOR was 54.3 MPa, 76.1 MPa, and 78.5 MPa, compressive strength parallel to the grain was 41.8 MPa, 54.4 MPa, and 59.2 MPa, shear strength values ranged from 14.3 MPa, 15.4 MPa, to 17.2 and Janka hardness from 3.81 kN to 4.01 kN for tree 1, 2, and 3. Most of the recorded root wood results weresimilar to those of the stem and branch wood, indicating that it was equally fit for structural purposes.