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

 

KHALID MAHMOOD^*, ABDUL RASUL AWAN AND M. ISMAIL CHUGHTAI

 

Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), P.O. Box 128, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan

^*Corresponding author’s email: kmahmoodniab@yahoo.com

 

Abstract

 

Some anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of four tree species were studied. Twelve wood logs each of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia nilotica, Prosopis juliflora and Tamarix aphylla, collected from two saline sites near Lahore and Faisalabad, were analyzed in both green and air-dry (12% moisture) conditions. The tested tree species differed greatly with respect to different wood quality parameters. Maximum density (842 kg m^-3) was observed in P. juliflora followed by E. camaldulensis (817 kg m^-3), A. nilotica (701 kg m^-3) and T. aphylla (635 kg m^-3). Static bending strength was found maximum (1240 kg cm^-2) in A. nilotica and minimum (778 kg cm^-2) in T. aphylla. The modulus of elasticity ranged from 53735 to 86977 kg cm^-2 with maximum value in A. nilotica and minimum in T. aphylla. The crushing strength parallel to grain was observed maximum in P. juliflora (610 kg cm^-2) and minimum in A. nilotica (321 kg cm^-2). Cleavage value was observed maximum (40 kg cm^-1) in P. juliflora and minimum (31 kg cm^-1) in E. camaldulensis.The results of impact bending indicated that the wood of P. juliflora has maximum (4.35 kg m^-1) tendency to absorb sudden shocks and minimum in 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 with Dalbergia sissoo wood and thus have good utilization potential for different wood products.

 

Key words: Saline environments, Tree species, Wood properties, Calorific value.