Selected physical and mechanical properties of twelve-year old garden teak in Ghana

Peter Kessels Dadzie; Paul Benedict  Inkum; Isaac Sampson; Obed Persie Appiah-Kubi; Osei Asibey

doi:10.26614/les-wood.2025.v74n01a03

Authors

Peter Kessels Dadzie
Paul Benedict Inkum
Isaac Sampson
Obed Persie Appiah-Kubi
Osei Asibey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26614/les-wood.2025.v74n01a03

Keywords:

Tectona grandis, teak, wood, density, mechanical properties, physical properties, deforestation, Ghana

Abstract

To supplement the timber stock in the natural forests of Ghana, efforts have been made to plant varied timber species including Tectona grandis (teak) in both plantations and home gardens for local use. However, the related timber patrons do not have adequate information on the properties of short rotation home-garden teak to build confidence in its appropriate utilization. This study therefore evaluated the physical and mechanical properties of 12-year-old teak using ASTM and BS standards to determine whether 12-year-old, garden-grown teak has density and mechanical properties comparable to those of mature plantation-grown teak, and whether it is suitable for light structural applications. Ten trees were selected from home environments in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The results indicated average values of 34%, 628 kg/m³,13,014 N/mm², 98 N/mm² and 43 N/mm² the for moisture content, density, static bending MOE, MOR and compression strength parallel to the grain, respectively. Overall, in addition to the density found being higher than that reported in other studies, the bending properties were also favourable compared to those of some 50- to 65-year-old teak trees given in the literature. The 12-year-old garden teak could thus be used for some medium to light structural applications, such as door and window frames, doors, furniture, and ceiling panels, among others.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adler, V. (2022). Wood as a housing construction material: what are its benefits? IDB Improving lives. URL: http://www.iadb.org/ (20.12.2022).

Arbofino (2023) Nature conservation, sustainable forestry, and organic agriculture - Teak Impact Investment. URL: https://arbofino.ch/en/ (10.1.2023).

Amoah, M., & Inyong, S. (2019). Comparison of some physical, mechanical, and anatomical properties of smallholder plantation teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F.) from dry and wet localities of Ghana. Journal of the Indian Academy of Wood Science, 16 (2),125–138.

Amponsah, I., & Meyer, W. (2000). Soil characteristics in teak plantations and natural forests in Ashanti Region, Ghana. Communications in Soil Science and Plants Analysis, 31 (3-4), 355–373.

ASTM D143-94 (2007). Method for determining Basic Density of Wood. In 2007 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 04.09. Philadelphia, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials.

Bhat, K. M., & Priya, P. B. (2004). Influence of provenance variation on wood properties of teak from the Western Ghat region in India, IAWA Journal, 25 (3), 273–282.

Brown, H., Glauner, R., Goh, D., Grausal, L., Jerez, M., Khaing, N., Kleine, M., Killert, W., Minn, Y., Monteuuis, O., Roshetko, J., Thulasidas, P. K., & Walotek, P. J. (2016a). Experts: The future of Teak – What policy makers and managers need to consider, Summary report of the expert group meeting on Teak, Vienna, December 5th to 7th 2016; IUFRO and TEAKNET.

Brown, H. C. A., Pentsil, M. Y., Torgbor, B. A., Appah, J., Bosompem, K. P., Frimpong, Y., & Gyambrah, T. (2016b). (Ed). Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy: 2016-2040, Forestry Commission (FC), and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Ghana. Pp.15.

Bryce, E. J. M. (1966). Mechanical properties of Tanzania-grown teak, Technical Note No. 34, School of Forestry Division, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania.

BS (British Standard) 373 (1957). Strength Properties of Timbers, in Metric Unit: In Lavers, G. M., (1974). Strength properties of timber, The Princes Risburough Laboratory of the Building Research Establishment, ST. Leonard’s House, Lancaster, England, MTP construction Medical and Technical publishing co. Ltd. pp. 1–24.

Dadzie, P. K., Appiah-Kubi, E., Acquah, T., Acheampong, M., & Inkum, P. B. (2023). Nexus of short rotation plantation tree acceptance, investor attraction, and environmental sustainability: the case of physical and mechanical properties of plantation teak for structural application. International Journal of Innovation and Development, special Edition: 47–61.

Desch, H. E., & Dinwodie, J. M. (1996). Timber structure, properties, conversion, and use. 7th ed., Macmillan Press, London, p 306.

Form Ghana (2017). Forest management plan: Asubima and Fresu Brohuma forest reserves, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Form Ghana, pp.36.

Gorte, R. W., & Sheik, P. A. (2010). Deforestation and climate change, CRS report for congress, Congressional Research Services, pp. 1–41.

Hardyanto, E. B., & Prayitno, T. A. (2006). Present utilization of small-diameter teak log from community teak plantations in Java and Eastern Indonesia, Technical Report, ITTO PPD 121/06 Rev. 2(1).

ISO (International Standard Organization) 3131(1975-1986) Wood- determination of density for physical and mechanical tests, first edition, International Organization for standardization, Switzerland. pp. 4.

Midgley, S. J., Blyth, M., Mounlamai, K., Midley, D., & Brown, A. (2007). Towards improving profitability of Teak in integrated smallholder farming systems in Northern Laos. Canberra: ACIAR Technology Reports No. 64, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Miranda, I., Sousa, V., & Pereira, H. (2011). Wood properties of teak (Tectona grandis) from a mature unmanaged stand in East Timor. Journal of Wood Science, 57, 171–178.

MOFA-Ministry of Food and Agriculture (2024). Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. URL: http://mofa.gov.gh/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/EJISU-JUABEN (20.4.2024).

Pandey, D., & Brown, C. (2000). Teak: a global overview-An overview of global teak resources and issues affecting their future outlook. Unasylva, 201, 51, 1–13.

Rizanti, D. E., Darmawan, W., George, B., Merlin, A., Dumarcay, S., Chapuis, H., Gerardin, C., Gehaye, E., Taharivelomanana, P., Sari, R. K., Syafii, W., Mohamed, R., & Gerardin, P. (2018). Comparison of teak wood properties according to forest management short versus long rotation. Annals of forest science, 75 (39), 1–12.

Sekhar, A. C., & Rawat, B. S. (1966). Physical and mechanical properties of teak from different locations in India and neighbouring areas. Indian Forest Records (Timber Mechanics) 1(13), 197-212.

Shukla, S. R., & Viswanath, S. (2014). Comparative study on growth, wood quality and financial returns of teak (Tectona grandis L. f.), managed under three different agroforestry practices. Agroforest systems, 88, 331–341.

Shmulsky, R., & Jones, P. D. (2011). Forest products and wood science-An Introduction. 6th ed. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.

Stamm, A. J. (1964). Wood and cellulose science. New York: Ronald Press Co., 549pp.

Thulasidas, P. K., & Baillères, H. (2017). Wood quality for advanced uses of teak from natural and planted forests. In: Kollert, W. and Kleine, M. (eds.) The global teak study: Analysis, evaluation and future potential of teak resources. Vienna: International Union of Forest Organization - IUFRO World Series 36,108 pp.

Tsoumis, G. (1991). Science and technology of wood; structure, properties, and utilization. Thessalonika: Verlag Kessel. pp 480.

Wanneng, P. X., Ozarska, B., & Daian, M. S. (2014). Physical properties of Tectona grandis grown in Laos. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 26 (3), 389–396.