ASSESSMENT OF DENSITY AND ANATOMICAL PROPERTIES OF

• J. M. Owoyemi

  Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

• T. O. Akinwamide

  Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

The knowledge of density and anatomical features of wood is required to understand its morphology prior to its use in order to recommend appropriate treatments and applications. Anatomy of coconut wood with its density was investigated in this study. Methods used include sectioning and fibre characterization both along and across the stem of the tree. The mean results obtained for the Fibre Length, Fibre Diameter, Lumen Width and Vessel Diameter were 1.49mm, 0.030mm, 0.02mm, and 0.27mm respectively. Its density were found to vary along the stem. The basic density distribution of Cocos nucifera showed that the middle portion has the highest density of 1107.85kg/m3, followed closely by the base portion with 1052.67kg/m3while the top portion recorded the least density of 1003.79kg/m3.. Both the density and anatomical results showed a comparable value which make it a suitable alternative for timber. production and productivity in Nigeria (Uwubanmwen et. al., 2011).The coconut trees is not indigenous to Nigeria (Plate 1) but they are found to grow well in places with a mean annual temperature range from 25C - 28C and an annual rainfall of 200mm.The increase in the diameter of a palm species such as coconut tree is as a result of cell division and cell enlargement in the parenchymatous ground tissue as well as the enlargement of vascular bundles which makes the diameter increase limitedly (Jones, 1995).The depletion of most of the important hardwood species such as Melicia eselsa, Nauclea diderichii, Mansonia altissima, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Cordia millenii, Khaya species, Afzelia species and Lophira alataas a result of overexploitation has now led to the ardent campaign that non–conventional wood species such as coconut tree could be sourced as alternative for timber production. The study therefore focused on the assessment of the density and anatomical properties of the Nigeria grown coconut wood in order to determine its morphological Introduction Cocos nucifera L. (Coconut) is referred to as tree of life because of its great importance to mankind. The tree can be used for several purposes and can be made into various commercial and industrial products (Arancon, 1997; Sukanya et. al., 2014). C. nucifera wood, with its unique features, is a worthy potential renewable resource for timber and a good substitute for hard wood species in structural applications such as trusses, walls, joists, doors, window frames and jalousies (Arancon, 1997; Taufikkurahman, 1998). The tree belongs to the palm plants family; Arecaceae, whose members are mostly found in the tropical regions but some in subtropical or semi-arid regions such as date palms (Arancon, 1997). C. nucifera is grown in more than ninety-three (93) countries of the tropics with world annual production was estimated to be 62.45 million tons of nuts per year (FAOSTAT, 2015). Great potentials exist for increasing coconut Plate 1: Coconut Plantation at Bolorunduro, Akure North, Nigeria 148

1. J. M. Owoyemi, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

2. T. O. Akinwamide, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

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