WOOD PROPERTIES OF SELECTED LESSER-USED HONDURAN WOOD SPECIES

Abstract

This paper examines the physical and mechanical properties of seven selected lesser-used species in Honduras for the purpose of promoting broader species utilization and reducing pressure on highly demanded species in the country. Of the seven species tested, Terminalia amazonia consistently yielded favourable results for most mechanical property tests. It appears that this species has high potential for further development and market
research for many applications, both structural and non-structural. Ilex tectonica, Calophyllum brasiliensis and Terminalia amazonia were then compared against book values for Honduran mahogany using Student's t-tests. All were found to be fairly comparable for modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and maximum crushing strength.