GROWTH AND WOOD QUALITY VARIATION OF MAHONI (SWIETENIA MAHAGONI) ON TWO SOCIAL FORESTS IN LAU BAKERI, INDONESIA Nelly Anna, M. Hazarryan, Evalina Herawati
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Abstract
Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), belongs to the Meliaceae family. is a fast growing species and is in great demand as a raw material for various wood industries. However, information on growth and wood quality is still limited. This study aims to analyze the growth and estimate the quality of mahogany wood in two community forests in Lau Bakeri. Measurement of growth characteristics was carried out by collecting data (total height, branch-free height, diameter and crown diameter). Estimation of wood quality is done by testing the physical properties of wood, namely (moisture content, specific gravity and density). Sampling by testing the physical properties of wood by census, the number of mahogany trees in Lau Bakeri location 1 was 106 aged 10 years and in location 2 there were 114 aged 9-10 years. The results of growth measurements at the first location Lau Bakeri, average diameter 0.35 m, total height 12 m, branch-free height 3.19 m, crown diameter 4.52 m, moisture content 58.45%, specific gravity 0.56 gr/cm3, density 0.81 gr/cm3. The average results of growth measurements at the second location Lau Bakeri, stem diameter 0.35 m, total height 16.68 m, branch-free height 5.50 m, crown diameter 5.28 m, and physical properties of wood moisture content 58.95 % specific gravity 0.51 gr/cm3, density 0.78 gr/cm3. The growth and quality of wood at each research location varied, the growth characteristics in Lau Bakeri location 1, namely for the total height, had an average of 12 m, a diameter of 35 m, while in Lau Bakeri Location 2, the total height had an average of 16.68 m, the diameter has an average of 35 m, the crown diameter has an average of 5.28 m. While the value of the physical properties of wood in Lau Bakeri location 1, namely for water content has an average of 58.45%, specific gravity has an average of 0.56, density has an average of 0.81 gr/cm3, while in Lau Bakeri location 2 for water content has an average of 58.95%, specific gravity has an average of 0.51, density has an average of 0.78 gr/cm3.
