Abstract

Sitsofe, Apreko-Pilly and Charles Antwi-Boasiako

Adequate information on stem wood and branch wood termite resistivity would enhance their efficient utilization, especially branch wood, whose use could widen the raw material base of the timber industry. Termite resistivity using field test method was determined for sapwoods and heartwoods along the stem and branch of Terminalia ivorensis and Aningeria robusta. Ceiba pentandra was the control. With slight attack and very durable wood, T. ivorensis heartwood at stem base was most resistant. Heartwood at middle of stem was durable and moderately attacked. T. ivorensis stem base sapwood, stem crown heartwood, branch base, middle and top heartwoods were comparable, having moderate durability (17 ± 1.9 - 24.5 ± 1.5% mass loss) or moderate attack. T. ivorensis sapwoods were less resistant to termite attack (mass loss: 19.2 ± 1.0 - 48.7 ± 2.5%) than their corresponding heartwoods (which lost between 4.3 ± 0.8 – 24.5 ± 1.5 %), but were more resistant than C. pentandra, the heartwoods and sapwoods along A. robusta stem and branch, were completely consumed (100% mass loss). With similar termite resistivity, A. robusta branch wood could suitably supplement its stem wood. T. ivorensis stem wood and branch wood termite resistivity also confirms that their branch wood could supplement the supply of wood from this timber.