Properties of potential wood carving species in Kenya

Abstract

This study compared the wood properties of five species as potential wood carving materials with those of five commonly used species. Five small logs each of potential and conventional wood carving species were randomly selected and cut into billets measuring 1.3m in length. Five smooth clear wood specimens of 20×20×100mm and 20×20×20mm for each of hardness and density determination respectively were obtained for each species and tested following procedures of BS 393: 1957. Wood working characteristics and other parameters desired in wood carving were determined using larger pieces derived from the five logs. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of species on density and hardness. Dalbergia melanoxylon had the highest density and harness while Branchystegia spicioformis had the lowest density and Afzelia quanzensis the lowest hardness. Density and hardness were not significantly different between conventional and potential woodcarving species. Hardness for Terminalia prunoides and Manilkara sansibarica was not significantly different from that of conventional species such as Dalbergia melanoxylon and Bracyhlaena huillensis. A positive correlation between the species hardness and their densities was established (r=0.774). The planing, cutting and finishing characteristics of all the species was dependent on the density. However, some of the potential species had colour that is a contrast to that of conventional species. Since the five potential species do possess most of the characteristics desired in wood carving species and also a number of them have short rotation cycle, they can be considered as alternative raw materials for carving.