CHARACTERIZATION OF PAULOWNIA TOMENTOSA STEUD TREES GROWN IN A 5-YEAR-OLD PLANTATION IN COSTA RICA

Abstract

Paulownia tomentosa is utilized in Costa Rica and other countries for wood production and as feedstock for biomass, though the variation of wood properties for this species is scarcely known. In this work, the specific wood properties of a 5-year-old plantation in Costa Rica were studied. The results showed that bark and pith percentage and wood specific gravity (SG) increased with tree trunk height, while the proportion of heartwood, green wood density and green wood moisture content decreased. The average wood SG was 0.26 and tended to increase from pith to bark. Low wood SG values are related to low mechanical properties, with the advantage that wood shrinkage is low as well, which gives this wood species the potential to be utilized for reforestation purposes in Costa Rica. The gross calorific value of this species was 17809 kJ/kg, which, together with its cellulose and extractives contents, recommend P. tomentosa as a biomass source for energy production.