Limited evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of Nepal alder grown in Hawaii

Abstract

Nepal alder (Alnus nepalensis ) grown in Hawaii was evaluated for shrinkage, strength in bending, and hardness. This Hawaii-grown wood was comparable in bending strength to wood of the same species grown in Bengal, India, but was lower in modulus of elasticity and exhibited greater hardness and shrinkage. It was also harder than such Mainland species as aspen (Populus tremuloides ) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) but softer than red alder (Alnus rubra). It was comparable in bending strength to aspen but was somewhat lower in modulus of elasticity. Shrinkage in radial and tangential directions was less than in red alder and only slightly more than in aspen and ponderosa pine.

Citation

Gerhards, C. C. 1964. Limited evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of Nepal alder grown in Hawaii. Res. Note FPL-36. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 9 pages