Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) is underutilized in most developing countries but has potential to be a solution to the shortage of wood for pulp, paper and wood composite products at the end of its production cycle. Determining and understanding its fibre properties (fibre dimensions and morphology) is key in its utilization for pulp and paper as well as composites. This study assessed the effect of age on the fibre properties of rubberwood. Samples of wood at four ages (10, 15, 20 and 25 years) were obtained at both the axial (base and top of merchantable length) and radial direction (innerwood, middlewood and outerwood). Slivers were obtained from the samples and macerated to provide individual fibres for optical measurement. Fibre dimensions at the four ages were measured, and their morphology was determined. Fibre properties and morphology were significantly affected by age at p = 0.05. Average fibre length was 1.47 ± 0.12 mm, with non-constant variation observed across the different ages, and from pith to bark. Average lumen width was 16.87 µm, and fibre diameter ranged from 25.02 µm to 27.23 µm. The fibre properties of rubberwood potentially make it suitable for pulp and paper production as well as wood composite boards.

Silvicultural practices, particularly planting density (PD), significantly affect the wood quality of plantation-grown trees by influencing the age of transition from corewood to outerwood. Determining transition age (TA) is challenging. Near infrared hyperspectral imaging was used to assess the age of transition from corewood to outerwood in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) grown under different PD. Wood samples were taken from permanent research plots with six PD ranging from 2,990 to 248 stems/hectare. Twenty trees were destructively sampled at age 25, and wood discs were collected at 10 % of total tree height. Pith-to-bark radial strips obtained from each disc were scanned using a compovision hyperspectral imaging system (1,002–2,350 nm). Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models were fitted to approximate TA using hyperspectral data representative of corewood and outerwood. PD influenced TA and the duration over which it occurred. Average age of transition was estimated to vary from 10 (closest spacing) to 14 years (widest). Closely spaced trees exhibited an abrupt transition, while widely spaced trees had a more gradual transition. However, PLS-DA likely underestimated the transition duration for widely spaced trees, as their average ring densities did not yet match those typical of outerwood based on X-ray densitometry data.

Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree), a major source of natural rubber, could also be an important source of lumber as senescence occurs. However, latex collection is known to affect Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) wood formation and consequently, wood properties. The impact tapping (cutting made in the bark of the tree for latex harvest) has on the tree and the way the tree responds after tapping is often overlooked. Knowledge on wood properties of tapped rubber trees in Nigeria would enhance its sustainable utilization which is especially important in developing countries where lumber is limited. Variation in specific gravity and shrinkage of rubberwood wood due to tapping duration was examined. Tapping duration had significant effect in specific gravity and longitudinal shrinkage of rubberwood but had no effect on tangential and radial shrinkage. The specific gravity (SG) of rubberwood ranged from 0,55 - 0,59. Longitudinal shrinkage (average 1,42 %) was higher than typically observed for mature wood. Average tangential shrinkage for rubberwood of all the ages was 5,37 % while radial shrinkage ranged from 2,87 % to 3,84 %. decrease in SG observed in trees tapped for 20 years may indicate the initiation of senescence. Tapped rubberwood could be used in areas not exposed to high moisture as well as in other wood composites.