Moisture Content Variation in Kiln-Dried Lumber from Plantations of <i>Vochysia Guatemalensis</i>

Authors

  • Róger Moya
  • Diana Aguilar Tovar
  • Carolina Tenorio
  • Brian Bond

Keywords:

Fast-growth plantations, tropical species, wood quality, wet pockets

Abstract

Vochysia guatemalensis is planted across large areas of Latin America; however, a major problem with its use is the large variation in final moisture content (MCf) after drying. This research studied the causes for high moisture content variation. Variables included the climate in which the tree was grown, the amount of heartwood, grain pattern within the piece, sample distance from the pith, and height of the log. The results showed that the initial moisture content (MCi) ranged 110-280% and MCf 10-17%. The variation in MCi was attributed to climatic conditions, heartwood presence, grain pattern, and height of the log. Boards with a radial surface in width produced the highest MCf. The MCf of lumber tended to increase with distance from the pith, and sapwood had lower MCf than heartwood. V. guatemalensis produced wet pockets in 42% of the dried boards.

References

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Published

2011-05-13

Issue

Number 2 / April 2011

Section

Research Contributions

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