PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF <em>TECTONA</em> <em>GRANDIS</em> GROWN IN LAOS

Abstract

WANNENG PX, OZARSKA B & DAIAN MS. 2014. Physical properties of Tectona grandis grown in Laos. Teak is a valuable species planted in Laos, covering about 15,000 ha. The wood industries in Laos have been using teak wood harvested from different rotation ages ranging from 10 to 30 years. The optimal age of teak used for various high quality wood products is not known. The aim of this research was to assess selected physical properties, namely, density, specific gravity and shrinkage (tangential, radial and longitudinal) of plantation teak of different ages (10, 15, 20 and 25 years) grown in Laos. On average, similar values were observed between wood properties of plantation teak of different ages. The relationship between wood properties and age of trees was not apparent. This suggests that other factors may influence wood properties of plantationgrown teak trees. Wood properties of young teak (10 and 15 years) were not inferior to the ones from older plantation (20 and 25 years). Based on their physical wood properties, 10- and 15-year-old teak would be acceptable for a variety of wood products for both outdoor and indoor uses.