Importance of pits in Corymbia Citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson (Myrtaceae) wood permeability

Abstract

Aim of this research was to evaluate the relationship between the biometrics of vessel-ray pits (RVP) and intervessel pits (IVP) with the water flow in different axes of Corymbia citriodora wood. C. citriodora wood specimens were used to correlate RVP and IVP dimensions with free water (FWFR), adsorbed (AWFR) and total (TWFR) flow. Correlations were made for three wood axes. Larger diameters of RVP facilitated FWFR, AWFR and TWFR in axial and tangential axis, however reduced permeability in radial direction of wood. Larger openings of IVPs reduced FWFR, AWFR and TWFR in axial axis of wood. Larger IVPs openings allowed higher FWFR and TWFR in wood radial and tangential directions, however, concomitantly reduced AWR. Effect of diameter of RVP and IVP on wood permeability should be evaluated for each axis. Thus, the opening of the C. citriodora wood pits can interfere in its permeability and consequently in its processing.