Technological Characterization of Teak Wood from Plantation Thinnings in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon

Chambi-Legoas R.; Carpio-Mendoza N.E.; Collazos-Mendoza B.R.; Portal-Cahuana L.A. · Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.5658/wood.2025.53.5.455

Resumen

Tectona grandis (teak) is a highly valuable forest species in the timber industry due to the quality and durability of its wood. Thinnings in teak plantations generate a significant volume of wood that is not utilized for timber products due to the lack of knowledge about the wood characteristics of these trees. This study evaluated the anatomical, physical, and mechanical properties of 6-year-old T. grandis wood from thinning operations in a commercial plantation in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, in order to determine its viability for the production of timber products. The main objective was to assess whether this juvenile wood, despite its early age, is suitable for various industrial applications. Anatomical, physical, and mechanical analyses were performed on samples taken from nine trees. The results indicated that the wood has a well-defined anatomical structure, with an average basic density of 0.49 g/cm3 and moderate volumetric shrinkage. Regarding mechanical properties, the wood showed adequate stiffness (Modulus of Elasticity, MOE: 87,410.99 kg/cm2), though with limited resistance to compression parallel to the grain. The results suggest that, despite certain limitations in properties such as compression resistance, 6-year-old thinning wood of T. grandis has considerable potential for applications in furniture, carpentry, and non-structural construction. In conclusion, 6-year-old teak wood demonstrates sufficiently good physical and mechanical properties for use in medium-demand industrial applications. This finding opens the door to future research that expands the use of thinning wood in a wider range of products, ensuring sustainable use of plantations in the region. © Copyright 2025.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios; Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas