Natural decay resistance of some lesser-used tropical hardwoods from Ghana

IRG/WP 02-10438

S A Amartey, F R Hanson

Ghana is a tropical African country that is rich in diverse timber species. In order to reduce over-exploitation of the popular timber species and increase the resource base for the wood industry, lesser-used or lesser-known timber species are being promoted locally and for export. To do this successfully, it is essential to determine the physical, mechanical and biological properties of these timber species in order to determine their commercial potential. Natural decay resistance (natural durability) lesser-used tropical hardwoods from Ghana to the wood decay basidiomycetes (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Coniophora puteana and Coriolus versicolor) were determined according to EN 113 (1980). Fagus sylvatica (beech) was used as a reference timber. Based on mean weight losses (%), the timber species were ranked in order of decay resistance to G. trabeum as: Albizia ferruginea Benth. > Petersianthus macrocarpus Macbride > Amphimas pterocarpoides Harms. > Celtis zenkeri Engl. > Albizia zygia Macbride > Anopyxis klaineana Pierre Eng. > Antrocaryon micraster A. Chev.> Celtis mildbraedii Eng; to C. puteana as: Albizia ferruginea > Amphimas pterocarpoides > Petersianthus macrocarpus > Albizia zygia > Anopyxis klaineana > Antrocaryon micraster > Celtis mildbraedii > Celtis zenkeri and to C. versicolor as: Albizia ferruginea > Anopyxis klaineana > Amphimas pterocarpoides > Albizia zygia > Petersianthus macrocarpus > Antrocaryon micraster > Celtis zenkeri > Celtis mildbraedii. Natural durability ratings for the timbers in accordance with EN 350-1 (1993), were: Albizia ferruginea 1 (very durable), Albizia zygia 3 (moderately durable), Amphimas pterocarpoides 3 (moderately durable), Anopyxis klaineana 3 (moderately durable), Petersianthus macrocarpus 4 (slightly durable), Celtis. mildbraedii 5 (not durable), Celtis zenkeri 5 (not durable), and Antrocaryon micraster 5 (not durable).


Keywords: Natural durability, decay resistance, lesser-utilised timbers, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Coniophora puteana and Coriolus versicolor

Conference: 02-05-12/17 Cardiff, Wales, UK


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