Environment’s Effect on Wood Characteristics of White Jabon Grown in West Java and Banten Area, Indonesia

Abstract

This study analyzed the diversity of physical properties and mechanical properties of white jabon (Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser) from various locations and ecological conditions in West Java and Banten Indonesia. White jabon wood samples were taken from 8 locations in West Java and the Banten region. Tree ages ranged from 5 to 6 years. This wood was then tested to compare physical characteristics (density or specific gravity) and mechanical characteristics (modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE)). The results showed that wood density ranged from 0.29 to 0.43 g.cm^-3, MOR ranged from 361 to 641 kg.cm^-2, and MOE ranged from 31,117 to 58,910 kg.cm^-2. The highest density average (0.43 ± 0.004 g.cm^-3) was produced from Cianjur, and the lowest density average (0.29 ± 0.010 g.cm^-3) was from Tanjungsari Sumedang. Environmental factors (precipitation and altitude) affect the density of wood. Separately, rainfall has a low effect and a negative relationship to jabon wood density, while altitude has a high influence and a negative relationship to jabon wood density. Andosol soil types tend to produce low density wood.