Radial variation of bending property in plantation grown Acacia auriculiformis in Bangladesh

Acacia auriculiformis is one of the major fast-growing plantation species in Bangladesh. Understanding the radial variation of bending property has importance in tree improvement and wood utilization. In this study, the radial variation of modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) in static bending were examined in 11-year-old plantation-grown Acacia auriculiformis from Bangladesh. MOE and MOR increased up to about 6 and 8 cm radial distance from the pith, respectively, and then both properties were nearly stable toward the bark. MOE did not show significant correlation with air-dried density. Conversely, MOR showed significant correlation with air-dried density. Significant variation among the trees indicates that the air-dried density and MOR could be used in plus tree selection for wood quality improvement of this species through tree breeding.