Melia Dubia Cav. Wood Properties Vary With Age And Influence The Pulp And Paper Quality

Variations in wood properties such as basic density, tissue proportion, fibre dimensions and their derived indices, cellulose and lignin content of Melia dubia at five age gradations were examined to evaluate the suitability of the species for pulp and paper production. The study showed that basic density, fibre proportion, fibre length, cell wall thickness, slenderness ratio, solids factor, cellulose and lignin content increased with tree age. However, vessel proportion, fibre width and lumen width decreased. Most of the wood properties were found suitable for making good quality pulp and paper at the age of 4 and 5 years in comparison to other hardwood species among five age gradation. Hence, harvesting at fourth and fifth year of age is suggested in M. dubia for high pulp yield and better paper quality.