Cultivation and Utilization of Japanese Fast Growing Trees with High Capability for Carbon Stock II.

Potential of Choerospondias axillaris

Abstract

Wood properties and their variation in the stem of 19-year-old Choerospondias axillaris trees, which grew fast and had straight stem forms, were investigated to clarify the potential of this species as a fast-growing tree in Japan. The diameter at breast height ranged from 31.9 to 39.5 cm. The air-dry density ranged from 0.53 to 0.57 g/cm³. The faster the diameter growth of a tree, the higher was the density. The patterns of distribution of air-dry density, microfibril angle (MFA), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) showed that there were low and high value zones in the stem. The facts that Choerospondias axillaris has straight stem form and the wood properties don't degrade in the upper position make it possible to use stems up to 10 m in height.