Deposits in Wood Micro-Structures of Some Wood Species

Abstract

Implications of wood deposits in processing and utilization of wood species of Terminalia superba, Daniella
ogea, Distemonanthus benthamianus, Afromesia elata, Mansonia altissima, Tectona grandis, Gmelina
arborea, Afzelia Africana, Pterocarpus soyauxii, Guara cedrata, Holoptelea grandis Khaya ivorensi, and
Gossweilerodendron bassalmiferun were investigated in this study. Wood deposits such as resins, gum,
crystals, silica, tannins and oils are usually deposited in the wood microstructures (e.g, parenchyma cells)
thereby making it impossible for end users to assign wood for certain uses. When in abundance the
deposits could pose a great threat during wood processing such as causing dulling effect on saws, difficulty
in preservative absorption, inability to bond with other adhesives during board and laminated items
production, and staining thereby reducing the aesthetic value of the wood. Some wood species not suitable
for cement-bounded were found to be blocked with some deposits such as gum deposits. However, some
deposits (tannins, resins and oils) identified in some wood species have made such woods useful in some
industries such as leather industry making them of industrial importance and are found useful when
abundantly present wood; some wood deposits also confer beauty and also protect wood against biodeteriorating
agents such as termites and beetles. This study revealed the presence of such deposits and
their implication on wood processing and utilization; photomicrographs showing their various positions in
wood micro-structure are also presented.