Effect of Tree Age on Basic Properties and Drying Qualitiy of Waru Gunung (Hibiscus macrophyllus Roxb.)

This stucfy examines wood properties as the indicator ef 1varu gunung wood quality based on age and axial directionand their implication on drying quality. Wood samples used in this stucfy collected from three ages, i.e. 8,12,and 16 years. The sample swere arranged in axial direction ef the tree stem, name/y, bottom, middle, and topportions. The basic properties ef the wood observed i.e. fiber length, specific gravity(SC),and iuood shrinkages for each axial portions were observed in radial direction from near pith,central and near bark.Fiber length measurements tuere undergone using procedure practiced at the Centerfar Research and Development on Torestry Engineering and Forest Products Processing Bogor. Specific gravity and shrinkage tuere determined in cordance with the modified ASTM D143-94, meamvhile drying properties and qualities 1 vere observed using the modified raz iva method.Results revealed that the fiber length and SC ef 1varugunung uere effected by tree ages, and position of the tree stem in both axial and radial directions. Considering basic properties and drying qualitie sef the series wood aging, it turned out that wood with tree age ef 16years could comp/y 1vith the requirement sfarfur niture material