Efficacy of Erythropleum Suaveolens Water Extractives on the Durability of Ghanaian Antiaris toxicaria and Aanarium schweinfurthii

Abstract

In an effort to find new preservatives which are less hazardous, the efficacy of branch bark, leaf, and heartwood water extractives of Erythropleum suaveolens (Potrodom), a highly durable timber species, was tested on Antiaris toxicaria (Chenchen) and Canarium schweinfurthii (Bediwonua) of low natural durability by presssure impregnation. Impregnated Chenchen and Bediwonua were exposed in the field for 6 months in accordance with a modified EN 252. Durability ratings, hardness and mass losses were measured in assessing their field performance. Though Bediwonua and Chenchen retained branch bark water extractives minimally, it conferred the highest resistance to deterioration. Branch bark water extractives represent a potential source of wood preservative.