Variation in Physical Properties of Wood Among Twenty Clones of Eucalyptus in South Gujarat

Present trial was conducted at College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. To study the physical properties of woods of different clones, wooden discs were collected from different heights of trees viz., 1m, 3m and 6m from all the 20 selected clones of Eucalyptus of 5½ years of plantation. For each clone, 3 rametes (individuals) were selected randomly and marked for harvesting. Physical properties such as colour of wood, texture, grain, specific gravity and moisture content were recorded. Wood samples of most of the clones recorded yellowish sapwood with brownish pink heartwood and medium texture with straight grain. Specific gravity varied from 0.52 to 0.62 with moisture content of 59.5 to 80.7 per cent among 20 clones. Clones such as C12 and C10 recorded the highest specific gravity of 0.62 and 0.60, respectively, which was followed by C13 (0.59). Lower moisture content generally reflects on the quality of wood. Clone C12 recorded the lowest moisture content of 59.5 per cent, which was followed by C13. Considering overall physical properties, clones such as C12, C10 and C13 performed better. Therefore, these clones are suggested for large scale plantation programme at South Gujarat region.