Physical and mechanical properties of Cedrela odorata in plantation

The technological properties of Cedrela odorata were determined on 11 trees felled in 3 plantations from 2 ecofloristic zones in Togo. The impact of silvicultural and biophysical factors was determined on the percentage of heartwood measured from two slices taken at 1.30 m from the trunk of each tree. The results show that: 1. the average percentage of heartwood of 36-year-old Cedrela trees is 88.54%; higher than that of Gmelina and Teak from Togolese plantations 2. The trunk diameter, ecological and soil conditions of the harvesting sites have an influence on this percentage. 3. For the same diameter, trees from ecological zone 4 show a significant difference compared to those from ecological zone 3. 4. Vessel diameter measured on cross-sections as well as tangential and radial sections differs significantly depending on the ecological zone. 5. Vessel length does not vary significantly between sites. 6. PSF, density at 12%, and static flexural modulus of elasticity vary with cambial age.