PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT OF STEM WOOD OF WILT-DISEASED COCONUT PALMS*

Abstract

Sawn wood from wilt-diseased coconut palms were treated with copper-chrome-arsenate preservative under pressure and boron chemicals under diffusion process. The dry salt retention (DSR) of preservative chemicals decreased with the increase in age of the palm and density of wood. The strong negative relationship between density and DSR obtained in this study indicates that preservative solution strength can be varied, if necessary, to get the required retention of chemicals. This study shows that the stem wood of wilt-diseased coconut palms can be treated to adequate retention of chemicals, and depending on end-use, the type of preservative and treatment can be chosen.