Wood from Forest Residues: Technological Properties and Potential Uses of Branches of Three Species from Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Branch wood presents potential volumetry that may have several applications, and its use may improve forest management efficiency in the Amazon. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the properties of branch wood when compared to the stem or what its potential applications might be, considering the possible variability of wood formation in branches. This study aimed to characterize physically and mechanically the branch wood of Dipteryx odorata, Hymenolobium petraeum and Hymenaea courbaril and to compare them with their respective stems. No significant statistical differences were observed for the basic density between the branch and stem woods. The branch wood of Dipteryx odorata and Hymenaea courbaril showed a lower coefficient of anisotropy (1.23 and 1.99, respectively) than the stem wood (1.62 and 2.49, respectively). D. odorata showed similar mechanical properties between the branch and stem, except for hardness, while H. petraeum and H. courbaril branch wood showed lower strengths when compared to the stem wood for all mechanical tests, except for the shear strength test. Branch wood has similar potential uses to stem wood and can be used for non-structural purposes such as small artifacts, decorative items, furniture, tools and panels composed of short, glued pieces.