Wood anatomy, wood density and bark percentage of two Eucalyptus species provenances grown in Uruguay (Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden y Eucalyptus badjensis Beuzev. & Welch)

Abstract

Wood anatomical characteristics of two provenances of Eucalyptus dunnii and two provenances of Eucalyptus badjensis were studied. Bark percentage and basic density were also determined. The 5 year-old trees came from an INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria) research trial, located at 31º 42´ 5´´S, 55º 49´ 5´´W and 140 m over sea level, at Tacuarembó, Uruguay. Cellular elements; vessels, rays and fibres were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. Maximum moisture content method was employed for basic density calculations. Both species presented low density with basic density means of 0,4 g cm^-3 for E. dunnii and 0,39 g cm^-3 for E. badjensis . E. dunnii presented higher bark percentage (14 %) than E. badjensis (11 %). Fundamental fiber dimension relationships for pulp production were determined.