Effect of Some Factors on Air Dry Moisture Content and Specific Gravity of Torem Wood (Manilkara kanosiensis)

Abstract

The physical properties of the wood especially moisture content and specific gravity are the factors that are associated with the strength of the wood, they are necessary to know before the wood material is used for the certain needs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of trunk position, wind direction and the radial direction on air dry moisture content and specific gravity of Torem wood. The experimental design used was completely randomized design with three factors and three replications. Factor A (trunk position) with five levels, factor B (wind direction) with four levels, and factor C (radial direction) with two levels, so there are 5 x 4 x 2 x 3 = 120 experimental unit. Results of the analysis showed that all single factors and their interactions give significant to high significant effect on air dry moisture content, with determination coefficient 88.06%.  On the other hand the three factors studied, as well as all interactions give significant to high significant effect on specific gravity, with determination coefficient 89.01%.