Biological Resistance of Coppiced and Non-Coppiced Rosewood (Pterocarpus Erinaceus Poir.) in the Field and Their Technological Performance

Abstract

Abstract Rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) timber is highly sought-after for furniture and building purposes due to its qualitative properties including durability. It coppices easily, which offers an essential strategy in curbing timber over-exploitation towards sustainable management. Mass loss, together with visual durability rating, was adopted in assessing the natural durability within the coppiced rosewood. Mass loss increased (i.e., durability decreased) up the coppiced (4.96±0 - 40±0.9%) and non-coppiced boles (2.9±0.06 - 15±0%), being greater for the coppiced trees (4.96± 0 - 40±0.9%) than the non-coppiced (2.9 ±0.06 - 15±0%) and for sapwoods [i.e., 26±0.3 - 40±0.9% (coppiced) and 14±0.03 - 15±0% (non-coppiced)] than the heartwoods [i.e., 4.96±0 - 5.3±0% (coppiced) and 2.9±0.06 - 5±0.07% (non-coppiced)] of both trees. The differences were significant (p˂0.05). Heartwoods and sapwoods along the boles of each tree type would be rated very durable (0-5%) and moderately durable (11-40%) respectively. Due to their great durability, both wood types would be widely suitable for several engineering applications. Thus, promotion of the coppiced P. erinaceus wood production would supplement the use of its non-coppiced counterpart to increase the wood market base.