Evaluation on Utilization Potential of
Melaleuca cajuputi Powell*
Somchai Benjachaya**,
Tawat Jurayut***,
Phornphimon Amornchot***,
Laksamee Suthiwilairatana***,
Charat Chuayna***,
Bounsong Sompoh***, and
Wichit Sonthivanit***
Abstract
The result of evaluation on utilization potential of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell indicates no local use on large size of M. cajuputi. The average green moisture content(MC) of the sample log from M. cajuputi was 102.11 % treated in airdry condition and after 8 days, the weight reduced 18 %. The defects of M. cajuputi lumber were few comparing with the other species. The density was 580.47-682.59 kg./m3 at MC 14.87-15.06 %, the average specific gravity was 0.59, the shrinkage at green MC55.03-85.73 % until ovendry condition was the percentage of radian, tangential, longitudinal section and volume as 5.00, 7.73, 0.32, and 12.63 % respectively. The experiment of lumbering with chain saw altogether with circular saw and rotor of a plow yielded 36.25 % of the log. The ability in sawing was the same as the other species. Wood working from M.cajuputi was better than rubberwood but it was worse than teakwood. M.cajuputi was suitable for wood carving but it was more difficult than teakwood carving because of toughness and spiral grain. M.cajuputi was unsuitable for plywood because its spiral grain caused more time for boiling and tore off for veneer peeling. Charcoal from M.cajuputi by local brick beehive kiln capacity 2 m3 yielded 29.09 %, took 5.2 days of production, by standard Royal Forest Department brick beehive kiln capacity 2 m3 yielded 30.76 %, took 2.6 days of production.
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*Oral presentation : Effective Uitilization of Forest Biomass for Regional People in Thailand, The First Thai-biomass Utilization Symposium, Organized by Faculty of Forestry In cooperation with Silvicultural Research Division, RFD, Supported by Japan International Forestry Promotion and Cooperation Center (JIFPRO), Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University,Bangkok, Thailand, 22 March 2002.
**ChiangMai Provincial Forest Office, Royal Forest Department, 164 ChaRoenPraThet Rd., Amphoe Muang, ChiangMai, Thailand
***Forest Products R&D Division, Royal Forest Department, 61 PhaHolYoThin Rd., LadYao, ChaTuChak, Bangkok, Thailand
INTRODUCTION
M.cajuputi is useful tree for people who live in the boundary of Melaleuca forest area for a long time such as wood for construction, pole, pile, building, utensils, and fuelwood (Samathi, 1988). But usually for woodfuel and charcoal, bark for roof and soak in resin and oil for torch, leaves and bark as medicine for suppurated cure. (Suwansutthi, 1984) Wood of M. cajuputi is durable in high humidity and saline area. (Pengklai et al., 1991)
Moreover, small wood of M. cajuputi can be made for fishing stick, prop wood, stake line, bark is used for house wall, roof, a hole of boat plug and fishnet dyed for durability. (Nuyim and Buntawee, 1999) Leaves of M. cajuputi can be distilled to be cajuputi oil, its smell is like camphor (mental) but bitter taste, medicinal plant for driving out the mosquitoes better than grass root oil. Because of slowly evaporation, moreover for killing mite and lice. (Rongrungsee and Tontiwat, 1991) Cajuputi oil has no colour or pale yellow, it is used as medicine to drive out mucus, cure bronchitis etc. (but overdose usage is irritated to channel of feed food), drive out worm parasite, decrease toothache, the mixture in message medicine. (Rattivanit et al., 1992) Boiling leaves in water for drinking to cure the ache and jaundice, young leaves can be eaten as vegetable, dry fruit is used as black pepper, fiber is short 0.855-0.952 mm length. Unbleaching fiber yielded 39 % and difficult to bleach, therefore M. cajuputi is unsuitable for pulp manufacturing. (Samathi, 1988)
M. cajuputi from swamp forest in Narathiwat province is use to study by Rattivanit et al. (1992) and Pensuk (1995) produced cajuputi oil by distillation from leaves. The result was low quality product. Jirayut et al. (1996) made good quality of wood cement particleboard from M. cajuputi. Basic chemical component of M. cajuputi for quantity of lignin and holo-cellulose experimented by Kitirattrakarn and Anantachoke (1998). Japanese Researcher Group took M. cajuputi from swamp forest of Narathiwat province to study in Japan by Motoaki (1999) for basic wood properties and Shuichi et al. (1999) for particleboard and wood cement particleboard, the result was good quality.
This study was data survey from local use, experimented wood working from M. cajuputi for extending knowledge to local people who have M. cajuputi in the future.
Material and Method
Surveying of local utilization
Sampling local people in M. cajuputi forest area for interview about M. cajuputi utilization at Tohlang, Yuyo, Khoksila, and Hootaeyeuloh village. Sampling M. cajuputi from Melaleuca forest at Gujam village, Narathiwat province for charcoal production and air seasoning with diameter at GBH (girth at breast height, circumference at 130 cm from the ground) less than 5 ins, more than 6 ins for lumbering and more than 12 ins for plywood manufacturing by debarking and cutting log to 1 m for charcoal production, the rest 2 m
Air seasoning
Air seasoning, debarked M. cajuputi log, indoor and outdoor at Sirinthorn Swamp Forest Research Center, Narathiwat province, weighed log of M. cajuputi everyday until the weight was even, after that weighed once a week altogether observed and recorded the split of log.
Basic characteristics
Sampling 3 logs of M. cajuputi to heart lumber 50 mm thickness at pith (25 mm thickness each side from pith) with chain saw and observed the fungi. After that through & through sawing 30 mm thickness both sides (left and right). Counted and measured diameter and length more than 10 mm of the knot and measured the distance from pith. Finally, cut some part of heart lumber for moisture content, density, specific gravity, and shrinkage test.
Lumbering
Lumbered log of M. cajuputi from Khogngu village, Narathiwat province, the first and the second side of head saw with chain saw then the third side and lumber with circular saw by rotor of a plow. The size of lumber depended on sawyer. Calculated the volume yielded of lumber.
Wood working
Wood working to furniture, utensils, and toys by Mr.Sompong Srisaard, the carpenter, Banna village, Ratchaburi province. Both green and dry wood for carving in art style at Ngo Community Art Center by Mr.Khaw Choomjai and Elephant Conservation Center by Mr.Rawat Inprasit, and commercial style at Maelug village, Lampang province by Mr.Jandee Khawchum and Banprasit factory, Lampoon province by Mr.Wichai jinakad and Mrs.Kampoh jinakad.
Plywood manufacturing
Produced 3 layers (1.1+2.1+1.1 mm) plywood, 4x6 ft2, Urea-formaldehyde (UF) for interior and Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) for external at Thai Plywood Co.,Ltd. Studied shrinkage perpendicular with grain of veneer on processing line and 8 points of thickness (4 points at corners, and 4 points between corners). Observed the warping before and after cold press, after hot press, and one week after finishing by longitudinal free standing condition.
Charcoal production
Experimented charcoal production from M. cajuputi with local brick beehive kiln at Yuyo village, Narathiwat province, 2 m3 and 10 m3, standard RFD brick beehive kiln at Charcoal Research Center, Saraburi province, and promoted brick beehive kiln, 2 m3 at Yuyo village and Forestry section of PikunThong Royal Development Study Centre, Narathiwat province. This study on yielded and quality of charcoal from M. cajuputi. Wood input were woodfuel and firewood. Wood out were lump, fines (through 2x2 cm screen), ash, and brands (uncarbonized wood). Calculated the weight of yielded of lump and fines per woodfuel and firewood by percentage and recorded kilning time
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Data surveying
Local people used 2-3 years old of M. cajuputi for hedge, cattle pen, chicken coop, and more then 3 years old for charcoal production. For pole and household construction used more than 5 years old. In the past, large tree of M. cajuputi were used in construction but the lumber was usually twisted. Moreover M. cajuputi were used as pole and pile and small tree, 1-2 year old, as fishing stick. Usually, M. cajuputi is destroy by weevil. Hedge of M. cajuputi is use for 2 years, but indoor used is 10 years durability. M. cajuputi pole in water is durable for 10 years. People believe it is more durable, if they soak in water 20 days before use.
The problems of M. cajuputi are brittle, low durability, and high weight, therefore it is not used for utensils, but that good for charcoal production. Because of lump form and higher heat value than other species. In the past, people used bark of M. cajuputi for roof and they can use for 5 years. At present, they only use bark for shed roof in the paddy field. M. cajuputi leaves are used as medicine to cure feet disease from soaking in water for long time, dry leaves boiled in water is for women to drink after giving girth to a baby, and young leaves can be eaten as vegetable.
Air seasoning
The first period of indoor air seasoning for 8 days, the weight of M. cajuputi decreased 17.84 %, after that 3.29 % slowly decreased. Outdoor air seasoning for 8 days, the weight decreased 18.03 %, after that less than 1 % very slowly decreased. The surface of cross section and longitudinal splitted after 2 day when it was cut down and continuously little split because of evaporation of water from the log.
Basic characteristics
The result of fungi at heart lumber of sample bole 2 m of a tree are as follows :
No. 1 had no fungi but there were 2 parts of rot 40 and 19 cm length and 2.1 cm width, a hole of insect at the middle of the lumber upon the bole 7.5 cm length and 0.8 cm width.
No. 2 had 2 parts of blue strain fungi 50.5 and 35.5 cm length and 1.5 and 1.2 cm width respectively. Those were parallel between sapwood and heartwood.
No. 3 had 2 parts of blue strain fungi, scattered along the lumber 80 cm length 0.8 cm width. Those were that parallel between sapwood and heartwood, The holes of weevil scattered 80 cm length
All of heart lumbers had sound knot, those not defect of texture, less than other species.
No. 1 had only one sound knot diameter (more than 1 cm) 1.8 cm, 0.9 cm distance from pith.
No. 2 had 5 sound knots diameter (more than 1 cm) 1.3, 1.2, 1.4, 1.1, and 2.1 cm distance from pith 2.0, 2.5, 4.0, 6.0, and 7.0 cm respectively.
No. 3 had only one sound knot, that was broken branch inside when it was a young tree, diameter 5.4 cm, 2 cm distance from pith
M. cajuputi had 862.91-991.41 kg./m3 density, at MC 55.03-85.73 %, and 580.47-982.52 kg./m3 at MC 14.87-15.06 %. M. cajuputi had 0.54-0.63 specific gravity or 0.59 by average. Average of shrinkage by radian, tangential, longitudinal section, and volume from green to airdry were 2.32, 4.23, 0.12, and 6.55 % respectively and from green to ovendry were 5.00, 7.73, 0.32, and 12.63 % respectively.
Lumbering
Lumbering M. cajuputi with chain saw altogether circular saw with rotor of plow had average yielded only 36.25 %. Because of sawdust from saw kerf of chain saw and circular saw. The price comparing between M. cajuputi and Dipterocarp sp. by size 1.5x3.0 ins, 2.5 m length is 250 Baht/ft3 (RFD, 1997) Therefore lumber of M. cajuputi 1 m3 (36.70 ft3) is 6,103.22 Baht. If the price of M. cajuputi is 3 time of wage sawing, lumber is 8,850 Baht/m3 (Table 1)
Table 1 Yield and wage of lumbering of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell
Kiln / Capacity / No / Wood input1/ (kg.) / MC2/ / Charcoal output (kg.) / Kilning(m.3) / Woodfuel / Firewood / (%) / Lump / Fines3/ / Ash / Brands4/ / time (hr.)
Local / 2 / 1 / 467.23 / 80.21 / 55.16 / 158.50 / 1.00 / 2.50 / 9.00 / 144
2 / 470.13 / 58.78 / 28.07 / 160.60 / 1.40 / 3.20 / 11.00 / 106
3 / 514.99 / 56.26 / 16.41 / 156.00 / 1.80 / 2.20 / 13.00 / -
Average / 484.12 / 65.08 / 158.37 / 1.40 / 2.63 / 11.00 / 125
10 / 1 / 2,319.07 / 500.56 / 24.64 / 839.40 / 0.90 / 7.80 / 0.10 / 118
2 / 2,342.85 / 143.19 / 23.61 / 723.00 / 4.50 / 8.00 / 18.00 / 190
Average / 2,330.96 / 321.88 / 781.20 / 2.70 / 7.90 / 9.05 / 154
Standard / 2 / 1 / 635.18 / 23.70 / 73.02 / 182.00 / 0.40 / 1.00 / 90.80 / 61
2 / 467.57 / 45.00 / 73.02 / 169.50 / 0.60 / 0.80 / 72.00 / 57
3 / 666.09 / 42.91 / 64.33 / 233.65 / 2.00 / 1.00 / 2.00 / 61
4 / 666.70 / 78.81 / 64.39 / 218.70 / 1.00 / 0.60 / 97.60 / 72
Average / 608.89 / 47.61 / 200.96 / 1.00 / 0.85 / 65.60 / 62.75
Promoted / 25/ / 1 / 483.71 / 15.38 / 17.01 / 151.00 / 3.00 / 1.80 / 156.00 / 28
26/ / 1 / 666.38 / 32.46 / 17.05 / 143.50 / 1.00 / 0.50 / 186.50 / 29
Note : 1/ GBH : girth at breast height (circumference at 130 cm from the ground)
2/ Lumber : from 2 m portion saw log, but various width and thickness
3/ Wage : depend on lumber size
Wood working
Lumber of M.. cajuputi are little bend, medium twist, and bow on small piece (usually for all species). Therefore should saw log into the large size lumber, then saw again into small size or required size if needed.
M.. cajuputi had white and pink colour, aromatic smell, coarse grain, straight and spiral grain, fine texture, large annual ring, sapwood and heartwood are alike, each section of wood are alike too. Weight is equal to Rubberwood. Termites suddenly destroy when leaving on the ground. Blue strain fungus destroy lumber when high moisture content.
M.. cajuputi is easy for nailing, screwing, sawing, cutting, sanding, drilling, and latheing. It should be pre-finished by lacquer, because of easily suction texture. M.. cajuputi is easy for glueing to connect tongue and groove, end and side. However, it depends on the quality of machine. Conclusively, M. cajuputi is easy for finishing.
The result from wood carving, colour of M. cajuputi is beautiful soft pink, when finishing it becomes soft red. Texture of sapwood and heartwood are alike, fine texture, no smell, no fungi and insect, no effect from extractive. It has little defect, no effect on finish product. But carving is more difficult than Teakwood, because of toughness, therefore it must be used sharp chisel. Carving of green and dry wood are the same. It is difficult to make curve line, cannot do up curve because of interlocked grain. The quality of M. cajuputi is lower than Teakwood but higher than Rain tree.
Plywood manufacturing
The temperature large log of M. cajuputi after boiling 2 days was 50 oc. at 5 cm from end. It was difficult to boil, transfer heat, and it is hard wood, so it is easy to tear off veneer peeling. Moreover M. cajuputi had unsound knot. Also it had interlocked grain, therefore it caused of curves on veneer, it needed more glue. It must decorate veneer, take long time for manufacturing. So, it is low quality and low price for plywood.
Surface and core veneer from peeling were 1.1 and 2.1 mm thickness respectively. Moisture content of veneer for UF and PF were 8-10 and 5-8 % respectively. Perpendicular shrinkage of surface and core were 7.7 and 10 % respectively. Quantity and sticky of PF and UF plywood were 0.054 g./cm, 1,860 cp and 0.049 g./cm, 2,520 cp respectively.
Three layer of sand plywood, 4x6 ft2, had 4.21 and 4.42 mm thickness of UF and PF respectively. Unsand and UF plywood had 4.45 mm thickness. The shrinkage of thickness of plywood after 7 days of finishing were 0.24 % of PF, 0.45 % of sand and UF. But unsand and PF plywood expanded 0.45 %. The bow was no appearance, therefore it is stable panel.
Charcoal production
By local brick beehive kiln capacity 2 m3 had 29.09 % yielded. Wood input was 16.41-55.16 % MC., average kilning time 125 hrs or 5.2 days. For capacity 10 m3 had 29.55 % yielded. Wood input was 23.61-24.64 % MC., average kilning time 154 hrs or 6.4 days. By standard RFD brick beehive kiln capacity 2 m3 had 30.76 % yielded, 64.33-73.02 % MC of wood input, average kilning time 62.75 hrs or 2.6 days (table 2)
Table 2 Charcoal production of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell from brick beehive kiln
No / GBH1/ / Height / Saw log / Volume / Wage3/of tree / (cm.) / (m.) / Log (cm.) / Lumber2/ (cm.) / Yield (%) / (Baht)
1 / 101 / 17.01 / 6 / 317,100.84 / 150,967.44 / 47.61 / 520
2 / 80 / 14.15 / 8 / 168,132.40 / 50,322.48 / 29.93 / 260
3 / 41.5 / 14.75 / 2 / 20,560.95 / 5,161.28 / 25.10 / 40
4 / 81 / 18.47 / 8 / 245,886.61 / 75,483.72 / 30.70 / 340
5 / 79 / 19.94 / 8 / 219,843.07 / 92,903.04 / 42.26 / 364
6 / 48 / 15.35 / 4 / 50,833.76 / 16,774.16 / 33.00 / 100
7 / 64 / 18.06 / 4 / 101,405.98 / 25,161.24 / 24.81 / 124
8 / 49.5 / 12.63 / 4 / 49,061.41 / 14,838.68 / 30.25 / 86
9 / 71 / 16.31 / 6 / 127,539.40 / 50,322.48 / 39.46 / 224
10 / 99.5 / 17.33 / 8 / 363,182.23 / 130,967.48 / 36.06 / 564
11 / 63 / 16.79 / 6 / 98,311.42 / 21,935.44 / 22.31 / 140
12 / 63 / 17.21 / 6 / 110,260.70 / 43,870.88 / 39.79 / 188
Total / 1,872,118.78 / 678,708.32 / 36.25 / 2,950
Note : 1/ Wood input : based on ovendry weight
2/ MC : moisture content
3/ Fines : through 2x2 cm screen
4/ Brands : uncarbonized wood
5/ at YuYo village, NarathiwatProvince
6/ at Forestry section of PikunThong Royal Development Study Centre, Narathiwat province
CONCLUSION
At present, it has no large log of M. cajuputi for use. Charcoal production is reduced. Therefore utilization of M. cajuputi is critical or insufficient in the near future. The result of this study should be transfer the log of M. cajuputi after cutting and debarking for 8 days. M. cajuputi has little fungi, insect, and defect comparing with other species. But high shrinkage, therefore wood seasoning must be controlled. M. cajuputi can be lumbered like general species. Wood working should be dried for stability of lumber before use. Texture of M. cajuputi and wood working are suitable for small articles. Wood carving is needed green condition and sharp chisel. M. cajuputi is not used for plywood. Charcoal production should be used standard RFD brick beehive kiln. Because of higher yield and shorter kilning time than local brick beehive kiln.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study is completely successful with kind co-operation of Mr.Chawalit Urapeepattanapong, head of Forest Working Group, PikunThong Royal Development Study Centre, Narathiwat province, who supported all budget for this project, Mr.Narong Pengpreecha, director of Forest Products R&D Division, and Mr.Warat Promchotekul, head of Wood Industry Development Group, who the advisors of this project, Mr.Thanit Nuyim, head of Sirinthorn Swamp Forest Research Center, and Mr.Weera Jantae, the driver, who took care of all staff along this project in Melaleuca forest area, Mr.Pin Mekarut, head of labour, who co-ordinated with people in Melaleuca forest area, besides, Dr.Nikhom Laemsak, head of Forest Products Division, Forestry Faculty, Kasetsart University, Mr.Winai Panyatunya, Mr.Suthee Wisuttitepkul, Mr.Sakpichit Julrerk, Mr.Worakij Sunthornbura, Mr.Woratham Oonjittichai, and Dr.Upaporn Soranuwat, the researchers of Forest Products R&D Division, who gave comments for experimental. Thai Plywood Co.,Ltd., the craftsmen at Lampang province and Lampoon province, and the carpenter at Ratchaburi province, and the staff at Charcoal Research Center, Saraburi province, who produced the objects from M. cajuputi.
REFERENCES
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Nuyim, T. and Buntawee, B. 1999. Melaleuca cajuputi Powell. SirinthornSwampForestResearchCenter, PikunThong Royal Development Study Centre, Narathiwat province. 22 pp.
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