Kualitas Pertumbuhan dan Karakteristik Kayu Meranti Merah (Shorea leprosula Miq.) hasil budidaya

Abstract

In order to assure the quality Red Meranti especially S. leprosula wood from plantation similar to that from natural grown, their basic properties were studied. Result shows that quality of Red Meranti wood studied was similar to that of naturally grown, except for its fibers which were shorter and thinner than those of naturally grown. It found that only specific gravity (SG) of wood was not influenced by stem diameter, and only wood moisture was influenced by growth ring. Result also shows that average values of fiber length, cell wall thickness, moisture content, wood density and SG are 968.12 μm, 2.72 μm, 91.52%, 0.76 g/cm3 and 0.50, respectively. The wood is categorized as strength class of III, therefore, this S. leprosula wood is potential as raw material for plywood and furniture manufacturing, as well as for the 3-rd class of structural and other purposes. The wood is not suitable for the highest quality of pulp and paper manufacturing.