Natural Durability of Mimosa tenuiflora and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Woods: Two Species from the Brazilian Dry Forest

Abstract

Abstract Knowledge of the characteristics and durability of every wood species is essential so it can be better directed for the correct harnessing. In a wood rot field test, this work aimed to determine the natural durability of timber species from the Brazilian dry forest, Mimosa tenuiflora and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia . The slats were buried in the ground up to half their length and distributed in the field according to a completely randomized experimental design. Annual assessments were performed to determine the deterioration rate. Furthermore, mass loss and condensed tannin content were quantified. The condensed tannin content found for the species was 4.40% for M. caesalpiniaefolia and 3.99% for M. tenuiflora . The results of 3 years of evaluation of the test make it possible to understand that both species presented durable wood, where M. caesalpiniaefolia presented a deterioration rate of 77.27%, while M. tenuiflora presented 66.27%, making them of high natural durability.

Keywords

• Biodeterioration
• field rot tests
• mass loss
• tannin content
• semiarid climate