Physico-mechanical and microstructural characteristics of Entandrophragma angolense (edinam) logging residues from different forest sites and their correlations

Entandrophragma angolense branchwood from two natural forests as residue was compared to its stemwood in terms of physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties, and their correlations, with the view to promoting residue utilization as supplementary material to augment wood supply and contribute towards reducing deforestation rate. Physical and mechanical properties were assessed in accordance with ISO 3131and BS 373, whereas IAWA Committee Protocol was used for the microstructural characteristics. Generally, branchwood exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher density by 27–35%, MOE by 11.7–22.4%, and MOR by 19–32.5% than their stemwood counterparts. Forest sites had nonsignificant influence on these. Qualitatively, microstructural characteristics of branchwood and stemwood were similar but had significant (p < 0.05) quantitative variations with forest site having significant effect (at least p < 0.1). Surprisingly, density had nonsignificant (p > 0.1) correlation with all the microstructural characteristics, but mechanical properties had varied significant correlations with the microstructural characteristics. For both stemwood and branchwood, compression strength parallel to grain was less influenced by microstructural properties as against MOE and MOR in bending. The results show that branchwood of E. angolense could largely be used in similar applications to those of their stemwood, especially when MOE and MOR in bending, density, and compression strength parallel to grain are under consideration. However, to serve all stakeholders better, further studies on durability, shear strength parallel to grain, chemical and finishing characteristics of the branchwood may be needed. Utilization of the branchwood will increase timber supply and subsequently contribute positively towards reducing the rate of deforestation in Ghana.