VARIATIONS OF WOOD ELEMENTS IN MAIN STEM OF ALBIZIA LEBBECK (L.) BENTH. GROWING IN BAGHDAD CITY, IRAQ

Abstract

    As Albizia lebbeck is one of the important species in Iraq and the region, its wood has subjected to investigation through the assessment of differences in its element dimensions and specific gravity under Baghdad conditions. Variations of fiber length, fiber width, cell wall thickness, vessel diameter, and density of wood were examined along the stem and horizontally.  Results showed that fiber lengths were within the normal range, but their widths were narrower than common range of hardwoods. There were little increase in fiber length, width, wall thickness as the height position increased. Vessel diameter has been affected contrarily. No significant effects of  height on specific gravity could be observed. Radial variability appeared to be height dependence. While heartwood possessed longest fibers at stem uppermost, maximum value of width and wall thickness have existed in the heartwood too but at lowermost of stem. The substantial difference was in specific gravity when heartwood had the superiority upon sapwood.