Abstract
Little information exists on the properties of tropical tree species that are now being used in plantations in different tropical countries including Ghana. In this study, the variation in chemical composition and natural durability of both plantation grown and natural African Mahogany harvested in Ghana were evaluated using TAPPI standards, ASTM D 1758-06 (2008) and AWPA E-7-07 (2008). The total extraneous materials in plantation grown Africa Mahogany was relatively higher than the natural stands. Results showed that the alcohol extractives in plantation and natural samples were 2.7 and 1.8% respectively. However, the natural samples recorded higher cellulose, holocellulose and lignin contents of 39.2, 32.2%; 66.4, 61.4% and 17.3, 15.2%. After 26 weeks of assessment of the natural durability under the graveyard test, the bottom portions of both types of mahoganies were rated as moderately attacked, the middle portion rated as moderate to severe attack while the top portion rated as severely attacked. Moreover, both the plantation grown and naturally grown mahoganies were rated as moderately to severely attacked after 26 weeks exposure in the field. It is recommended that as plantation of indigenous species are encouraged, their properties should be evaluated to enhance their acceptance and utilization.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the financial support of the International Tropical Timber Organization for the Mahogany project at Forestry Research Institute of Ghana. We are also thankful to the Management and staff of Log and Lumber Limited, Kumasi for the harvesting and processing of the Mahogany trees and samples.
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Tekpetey, S.L., Essien, C., Appiah-Kubi, E. et al. Evaluation of the chemical composition and natural durability of natural and plantation grown African Mahogany Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. in Ghana. J Indian Acad Wood Sci 13, 152–155 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13196-016-0179-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13196-016-0179-1