Directional variability of wood properties in Pinus wallichiana and Dalbergia sissoo of South Asian origin

ABSTRACT Pinus wallichiana and Dalbergia sissoo wood is widely used in the construction and furniture industry in Pakistan. However, directional variability of physical properties, which can be important for wood-based industry, remains poorly documented. In both wood types, water and moisture uptake, water contact angle, and compressional strength varied significantly along the three directions. Water and moisture uptake was found significantly higher in tangential direction while water contact angle, and compressional strength was found the highest along the longitudinal direction in both wood types. Furthermore, thermal conductivity and diffusivity were found the highest along longitudinal direction however, specific heat capacity was found the highest in radial direction. Based on the results it can be concluded that although, dimensional variability was more pronounced in Dalbergia sissoo wood however, studies on site-specific variations in physical properties need further investigations for better recommendations.