Pterocarpus santalinus L. Physical Properties

Weight : 76 lb.per c.ft. (air dry)

Gross Structure : A diffuse porous wood, Growth rings distinct, 4-5 per cm. Vessels/pores moderately large, just visible to eye, few to moderately few (3-6 per mm2), more or less evenly distributed solitary or in short radial multiples of 2-3, round in outline, frequently filled with reddish brown gummy deposits, vessel lines district on the longitudinal surfaces. Parenchyma/ soft tissues distinct only under hand lens as numerous narrow bands connecting the vessels, some times aciform or in long lateral extensions and also as a fine interrupted lines delimiting growth rings. Rays fine to very fine, closely spaced, uniformly distributed, ripple marks present on tangential surface.

Minutes Structure : Vessels up to 207µm (mean 14.0+/-3µm) in diameter, perforation plate simple, intervascular pitting alternate, oval and vestured, 7-8µm in diameter, pits leading to rays and axial parenchyma are more or less similar, vessel members 133-249µm. (Mean 196+/- 1µm) in length, truncate or abruptly tailed, gummy deposits present. Parenchyma Para tracheal, narrowly confluent or aciform with short or long lateral extensions, some times diffuse as few scattered cells, strands composed of 2-6 cells, gummy in filtration present fibers circular to angular and irregularly aligned in cross section, average maximum diameter and wall thickness 18µm and 5µm respectively, pits simple, confined to the radial walls. Rays 1-2 seriate (mostly uniseriate), 13 per mm (t), homogeneous, 15µm in width and up to 9cells of 205µm in height, composed of procumbent cells.

Reference

1. S.P.Agarwal and P.K. Pande, Anatomy of commercial timbers of south zone, part 2, Indian council of forestry research and education, new forest. Dehra dun-248006, ICFRE-22, 1992, Page no: 6.

2. K.Ramesh rao, and S.K. Purkayastha, vol3, Indian woods, Published by the manager of publications, Delhi and printed at the F.R.I. press, Dehradun, India, august 1972, page no: 129-130.

3. H.Trotter, The common commercial timbers of India and their uses, Printed by the manager government of India press, Nasik-422006 and published by the controller of publications. Delhi-110054, 1982, Page no: 165.

4. Pearson and Brown, Commercial Timbers of India, vol 1, Government of India, central publication branch, Calcutta, 1932, Page no: 398.