GREEN MOISTURE CONTENT, BASIC DENSITY, SHRINKAGE AND DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD OF <em>CEDRELA</em> <em>ODORATA</em> GROWN IN GHANA

Abstract

OFORI, J. & BRENTUO, B. 2005. Green moisture content, basic density, shrinkage
and drying characteristics of the wood of Cedrela odorata grown in Ghana. The green
moisture content, basic density, shrinkage, susceptibility to drying defects and
development of appropriate drying schedules for the wood of Cedrela odorata grown in Ghana were studied. The overall moisture content averaged 76%. The moisture content in the radial direction was high at the pith (92%) but reduced (66-68%) towards the periphery. The overall basic density averaged 476 kg m^-3. In the radial direction, the density was low at the pith (432 kg m^-3), increased rapidly outwards to a peak (500 kg m^-3) and declined steadily towards the periphery (365 kg m^-3). Overall total shrinkages in the tangential, radial and longitudinal directions were 4.5, 3.6 and 0.5% respectively, while shrinkages from green to 12% moisture content were 2.6, 2.0 and 0.4% respectively. Sapwood appeared to shrink slightly more than heartwood. The wood was not susceptible to collapse and honeycombing but checks occurred in the early stages of drying. The Forest Products Laboratory Madison kiln-drying schedules T10-C4 and Tl 1-C5 were proposed for moderate and slightly severe drying conditions respectively.