WOOD EVALUATION OF Eucalyptus pellita F.Muell. AND Eucalyptus tereticornis Smith AS POTENTIAL FOR PULP AND PAPER PRODUCTION

Abstract

This paper aimed to determine the quality indexes for paper and cellulose based on the fiber features from two wood species of interest, Eucalyptus pellita and E. tereticornis. The mean annual increment (IMA) was calculated by measuring DBH and Height (25 years), a 10 cm disk from each tree was collected for density determinations and anatomical studies for cellulose and paper. Tree height, trunk diameter at 1.30 m in height (DBH), and volume per tree were higher in E. pellita when compared to E. tereticornis. The volume per hectare and average annual increment were higher in E. tereticornis compared to E. pellita. Based on the quality indexes calculated from fiber dimensions, we did not observe any variation in flexibility coefficient between the two species; however, this index was more heterogeneous with the lowest value in E. tereticornis pith. Eucalyptus pellita showed a lower wall fraction value, including a lower overall value in pith. The Runkel index was lowest in E. pellita; in addition, the highest value, above 1, was found in pith position in E. tereticornis. The slenderness index did not differ between species and it was not possible to detect which had performed better. The results indicate that E. pellita and E. tereticornis have potential for the production of paper with high mechanical resistance, such as writing, printing and packaging. The wood of both species has potential for use in producing paper and cellulose.