Quality Assessment of Two Timber Latex Clones of Rubberwood (Hevea Brasiliensis)

Understanding wood properties and behavior is important to evaluate the performance of producing high quality end products. A study was conducted to determine the growth performance, anatomical, physical and mechanical properties and chemical constituents of timber latex clones (TLC) and to compared with the common rubberwood. Ten trees, each from two different clones, PB 260 of 11 years old and PB 350 of 5 years old were selected and felled from the Golden Hope Plantation Berhad. Each tree was divided into two portions along the height namely, bottom and upper parts, and 3 radial samples namely outer, middle and inner were chosen for comparative study on the anatomical properties and chemical constituents. For the mechanical and physical study, 1400 samples were randomly selected. Diameter at breast height (dbh) and height of all trees were measured using diameter tape and pole. Physical and mechanical testing were conducted using BS 373 Standard while all chemical experiments was carried out using TAPPI standards