Studies on the Moisture Uptake Behaviour of Root Wood

Abstract

The dwindling resources of our forests are forcing the wood based industries to switch over to other raw material by taking into consideration the cost cutting values. The rootwood of trees is one such raw material which has not been explored in detail for its moisture uptake properties so that it can be brought into proper utilization. In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the moisture uptake property of root wood and compared with that of stem wood. It was found that in general root wood of Populus deltoides exhibit lesser moisture uptake when exposed to 75 % humidity conditions at 35°C. From the utilization point of view, products made from root wood of this species would be dimensionally more stable than those made from its stem wood. Popularization of the use of this root wood would contribute to saving of the stem wood material of this species, which is a popular raw material with the plywood industry.