WOOD CHARACTERIZATION OF ADULT CLONES OF TECTONA GRANDIS GROWING IN COSTA RICA

ABSTRACT Tectona grandis is an important wood in the commercial market due to its excellent workability, durability and aesthetic characteristics. Therefore, it is important to improve the conditions of reproduction and development in commercial plantations using clone reproduction, in order to produce trees with better wood quality. In this study we analyzed the general properties, physical properties and color of 20 adult teak clones (fifteen-year-old) from the area of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It was found that at 15 years, the clones have a diameter which varies from 19.82 cm to 30.13 cm, the percentage of heartwood ranges from 49.76 to 60.02%, and that these values are similar to those found in the literature. In regards to the physical properties, it was found that the specific gravity ranges from 0.45 to 0.60 g.cm-3, the green moisture content varies from 70% to 110.6%. In the color properties, it was found that L* values ranged from 48 to 59, a* 7 to 9.5 and b * from 20.5 to 26.3. Likewise it was determined that the color change (ΔE*) compared to commercial wood color, is commonly categorized as perceptible in all clones. However, three of the clones studied have a darker color and reddish wood which indicates a color more desirable to the end user.