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An investigation on peeling recovery and quality of senile plantation-grown rubber trees in Laos

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Abstract

The study assessed the peeling potential of rubber trees past the prime latex-producing age when the latex yields become non-economical. Fifteen 25-year-old plantation-grown trees were harvested and peeled using spindleless lathe technology. Following peeling, veneer sheets were measured and graded to determine volume and quality recoveries. Relationships between billet characteristics and recoveries or quality were examined and a recovery predictive model proposed. Most of the main causes identified for downgrading face veneers were either processing-related issues or drying-induced defects. Thus, a combination of several optimisation techniques could annihilate most of the main causes of downgrading veneer, potentially leading to a substantial proportion of higher-quality veneers typically used where surface decorative appearance is a primary consideration. The results demonstrated that rubber trees past their latex-producing prime from unthinned and unpruned stands have qualities and desirable traits to potentially produce certain high-value engineered wood products. Senile rubber trees in Laos could represent significant additional revenue to growers and a source of raw material to the industry which, theoretically, could be converted into high-value products if other factors can be overcome.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Australian Government for funding through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) program, Project No. FST/2016/151. Gratitude is extended to the Faculty of Forestry, at the National University of Laos for technical support. Special thanks to Mr. Kham Chanthanakhone, Ms. Viphavanh Thongdy, and Ms. Somleuthai Ktaiy for their assistance with the experimental work.

Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Australian Government for funding through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) program, Project No. FST/2016/151.

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Correspondence to Benoit Belleville.

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Belleville, B., Chounlamounty, P., Soukphaxay, K. et al. An investigation on peeling recovery and quality of senile plantation-grown rubber trees in Laos. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 78, 1295–1303 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-020-01594-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-020-01594-x

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