Radial variation in anatomical wood characteristics and physical properties of Paulownia elongata x Paulownia fortunei hybrid Cotevisa 2 from fast-growing plantations

Abstract

[EN] The trend of increasing demand for wood raw material is becoming of great global concern. Fast-growing plantations, such as those of Paulownia, are being established in different parts of the world, as a viable alternative to quickly produce quality wood at competitive costs. The presence and proportion of juvenile wood directly influences the capacity and possibilities of industrial transformation for sawn timber, veneer or plywood for furniture, construction or packaging purposes. The objective of the research is to analyze and determine the transition from juvenile to mature wood in Paulownia elongata x fortune Cotevisa 2. A sample of 14 trees from a seven-year-old plantation established in Valencia (Spain) with a planting frame of 4 m x 4 m was used. Several morphological characteristics, anatomical traits and physical properties have been analyzed in all year rings. The obtained results indicate that from the 5th year of growth, the wood of Paulownia elongata x fortunei Cotevisa 2 stabilizes in some key parameters such as the radial growth of the rings, the structure and proportion of the vessels, the structure of the cell wall, the density of the material and the behavior in terms of dimensional stability in the drying process. Thus, for practical purposes, we can define the transition from juvenile wood to mature wood from the 5th year. Enlarging the rotation in few years reduces significantly the presence of juvenile wood and contributes to improve the roundwood quality for added-value solid wood products.