2014 Volume 3 Issue 4 Pages 146-152
In the present study, stem diameter, tree height, Pilodyn penetration, and wood properties were investigated for clarifying the among-family variation of growth characteristics and wood properties related to pulp qualities in 90 trees from 15 families of 5-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis selected by tree breeding programs based on the growth characteristics in the northeastern region of Thailand. Basic density, wood fiber length, and lignin content were measured at 2 cm from the bark side. Significant differences among 15 families were found in stem diameter, tree height, Pilodyn penetration, and basic density. Stem diameter was significantly correlated with tree height, whereas no significant correlations were found between stem diameter and basic density, wood fiber length, or lignin content, suggesting that wood properties of this species are independent of growth characteristics. It is considered that the families with superior wood properties related to pulp qualities could be selected from the families already selected according to the growth characteristics.
