Colorimetric characterization of juvenile and mature wood from four eucalypts species

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the colorimetric parameters of juvenile and mature wood from four eucalypt species. Eucalyptus botryoides, Eucalyptus paniculata, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Corymbia citriodora trees, all of them with approximately 60 years old, were randomly selected in Charqueadas, Rio Grande do Sul for preparation of samples near to pith and bark to represent juvenile wood and mature wood, respectively. Colorimetric characterization was performed in radial and tangential sections using a colorimeter for determination of L* (brightness), a* (green-red coordinate), b* (blue-yellow coordinate), C* (chromaticity) and h (hue angle). The effect of anatomical section factor was not significant in the variation of colorimetric parameters. With relation to the species and type of wood factors, a significant change in colorimetric parameters was observed, especially the Eucalyptus botryoides wood due to the greater difference in the comparison between the juvenile and mature woods. Colorimetric similarity between juvenile and mature wood of Eucalyptus paniculata and Corymbia citriodora was observed by the same clusters group.