PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT OF EUCALYPTUS AND CORYMBIA WOOD

Resumo

The properties of wood influence its use as a final product, so it is essential to know their relation and influence on the quality of preservation. In this sense, for the present study we aim at the determination of the physical properties of Corymbia citriodora [Eucalyptus citriodora Hook]; Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. x Eucalyptus grandis, and the quality of the preservative treatment with CCA-C in an autoclave. We determined diameter, heartwood and sapwood percentages, and their relationship, as well as the basic density for the three genetic materials. The quality of the preservation was evaluated through the area treated and not treated by CCA, besides its penetration and retention. The highest proportion of sapwood, treated area, and highest density value was found in C. citriodora, whereas the hybrid E. camaldulensis x E. grandis presented the highest level of CCA retention. The diameter and density showed the highest correlation with CCA retention in wood, the length and moisture of the small logs also shown to be influential. All clones presented satisfactory chemical treatment quality for use as fence posts.