The effect of teratosphaeria stem canker on the anatomical structural and physical properties of Eucalyptus grandis
Abstract
The increasing demand for timber and other wood products accompanied by a tremendous decline
in the natural forest cover has necessitated the establishment of Eucalyptus plantations throughout
the country. However, these plantations are experiencing a major problem of canker diseases such
as Teratosphaeria cankers. In this study, the effects of Teratosphaeria cankers on the wood
structure and physical properties were examined. Test specimens from both the normal and
diseased wood were collected and prepared for the tests. The physical properties tests were
performed in accordance to the British Standards (1957) while wood structure of normal and
diseased wood was compared macroscopically and microscopically in the laboratory.
Comparison tests showed that there was a significant difference in the basic density and volumetric
shrinkage of normal and diseased wood (P=0.000), due to increased number of thick celled fibres
in the diseased wood. In addition, macroscopically and microscopically, there were differences in
the wood structure between normal and diseased wood. It is therefore recommended that the sector
needs to set out standards to regulate the sale and use of timber especially from diseased trees.