Fast drying method for wood developed

It is now possible to kiln-dry a 25-millimeter thick gmelina wood in 10 days instead of the usual 75-150 days. Likewise, one can now dry a 50-mm lumber in 24 days instead of 119 to 198 days.

The seasoning time for the hard-to-dry gmelina (scientific name: Gmelina arborea) has been considerably shortened by a furnace-type lumber dryer developed by the Los Baños-based Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), an agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

In drying experiments conducted by FPRDI, a 25-mm gmelina (a furniture species also known as yemane) with initial moisture content (MC) of 73.8-96.9 percent and 25-43 percent can be dried to final MCs of 11.9 and six to seven percent, respectively, in just 10 days. Also, a 50-mm lumber with 88 percent and 90 percent MC can be dried to 9.26-15.7 percent and 9-12.5 percent, respectively, in 24 days.

The drying technology has been adopted by the Northlandia Enterprise in Santiago City (Isabela) and the Tiber Woodcraft in Butuan City, gmelina furniture makers catering to the local and foreign markets; and an entrepreneur in Marbel, South Cotabato.

Gmelina wood promises to be an ideal raw material for the country’s wood furniture and handicraft industries that we have given it priority attention," said FPRDI Director Dr. Florentino O. Tesoro. "Aside from furniture and handicraft production, gmelina may also be used for telecommunication poles, packaging materials, pallets, wood wool cement boards, carvings, moldings, toys, musical instruments, resin-bonded particleboard and veneer."

Wood processors in South Cotabato and Butuan City get their supply of gmelina lumber from industrial tree plantations that continue to enjoy successful operations despite rumors that have spread across Mindanao that the species has a toxic effect on livestock and other vegetables.

"These rumors are unfounded," stated a primer published by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources—Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB). There have been no documented cases of toxicity of gmelina on animals and other plants.

The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), on the other hand, reported that gmelina produces abundant nectar from which high quality honey is processed.

Rabbits and deer have also been reported to feed on its seeds and leaves and cattle its leaves and bark. It is also not harmful to surrounding plants as shown by the vigorous growth of young crops grown under this species in Cavite and Bukidnon. — Rudy Fernandez