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A review of heartwood properties of Tectona grandis trees from fast-growth plantations

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Abstract

Teak (Tectona grandis L. f) has been introduced to reforestation programs in many tropical countries for timber production. The use of teak plantations has changed the supply from large-diameter logs to small-diameter logs featuring a higher proportion of juvenile wood and more knots. Generally, the teak from fast-growth plantation is harvested after 15–30 years of growth, with logs ranging from 12 to 30 cm in diameter. The goal of this work was to review the factors that influence the heartwood formation, variation, quality, color, and durability in teak and to understand which factors should be controlled in fast-growth plantations. Important factors in the heartwood properties of teak trees from fast-growth plantations are as follows: the tree age, longitudinal variation, geographic location, environmental conditions, and silvicultural activities. These factors influence heartwood extractive content, color variation, and durability.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Inter American Network of Academies of Science (IANAS) of USA and Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Extensión of Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. And Dr. Puthenpurayil Kumaran Thulasidas of Kerala Forest Research Institute (India) for his scientific contribution to the paper.

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  1. Escuela de Ingeniería Forestal, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, 159-7050, Apartado, Cartago, Costa Rica

    Róger Moya

  2. Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Brian Bond & Henry Quesada

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Moya, R., Bond, B. & Quesada, H. A review of heartwood properties of Tectona grandis trees from fast-growth plantations. Wood Sci Technol 48, 411–433 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-014-0618-3

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