Fiber quality and juvenile-mature transition evaluation of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) and binuang (Octomeles sumatrana)

Abstract

Abstract Lesser-used wood species of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) and binuang (Octomeles sumatrana) are potential to be alternative resources to meet wood demand. Wood samples of these two species served as research materials to evaluate wood quality, mainly radial variation of fiber quality and juvenile-mature transition. Fiber quality was analyzed following Rachman and Siagian (1976). Radial variation of fiber and vessel length were used as parameters to estimate juvenile-mature transition using polynomial and segmented regression models. The results showed that jabon and binuang fiber are classified as Quality Class II and I for pulp and paper manufacturing, respectively. Juvenile-mature transition of jabon wood occurred in the segment 6 and 7, while the whole of binuang wood was still juvenile. Boundary between juvenile and mature wood on these wood species was affected by parameter and method applied.