SUITABILITY OF OIL PALM TRUNK FOR TIMBER USES

Abstract

Excessive drying degrade in the low density corewood and the consequent low recoveries of sawn timber make commercial use of the oil palm for sawn timber extremely unlikely. Only the lower 3 to 4 m should be sawn so this still leaves the problem of disposal of the remainder of the stem. In addition the oil palm wood is abrasive, highly susceptible to decay and insects and exhibits extreme variations in strength. Oil palm timber is not particularly attractive: despite high production costs, the timber offers no advantages over traditional hardwood or rubberwood. Therefore, research into the conversion of oil palm trunks into sawn timber should be accorded low priority.

Malaysian research has clearly identified that the best opportunities for use of the oil palm trunk are in non-sawn timber uses where the material is reconstituted into a different form. The material could be used for production of a variety of panel products, pulp, animal feed and alcohol.