African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 4 (2), pp.231-237, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals 

Full length Research Paper 

Termite resistivity of the stem and branch woods of Aningeria robusta (A. Chev) and Terminalia ivorensis (A. Chev) 

Sitsofe, Apreko-Pilly¹ and Charles Antwi-Boasiako² 

Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 15 January, 2015; Accepted 22 February, 2016

Abstract

Adequate information on stem wood and branch wood termite resistivity would enhance their efficient utilization, especially branch wood, whose use could widen the raw material base of the timber industry. Termite resistivity using field test method was determined for sapwoods and heartwoods along the stem and branch of Terminalia ivorensis and Aningeria robusta. Ceiba pentandra was the control. With slight attack and very durable wood, T. ivorensis heartwood at stem base was most resistant. Heartwood at middle of stem was durable and moderately attacked. T. ivorensis stem base sapwood, stem crown heartwood, branch base, middle and top heartwoods were comparable, having moderate durability (17 ± 1.9 - 24.5 ± 1.5% mass loss) or moderate attack. T. ivorensis sapwoods were less resistant to termite attack (mass loss: 19.2 ± 1.0 - 48.7 ± 2.5%) than their corresponding heartwoods (which lost between 4.3 ± 0.8 – 24.5 ± 1.5 %), but were more resistant than C. pentandra, the heartwoods and sapwoods along A. robusta stem and branch, were completely consumed (100% mass loss). With similar termite resistivity, A. robusta branch wood could suitably supplement its stem wood. T. ivorensis stem wood and branch wood termite resistivity also confirms that their branch wood could supplement the supply of wood from this timber.

Keywords: Axial stem position, bio-degrader, branch wood, heartwood, mass loss, natural durability, severe attack, visual durability rating.