Caractéristiques biophysiques du bois de pterocarpus erinaceus (poir.) en zones guinéenne et soudanienne au togo

Pterocarpus erinaceus (Poir.) is a tree species found in the Soudanian and Guinean climatic zones in Togo. It is of high socio-cultural importance because of its many uses, but little is known about the technological properties of its wood. This is why a study was conducted to determine the physical and mechanical properties (density, shrinkage, FSP, MOE, MOR, compression, hardness) of its wood in relation to environmental condi- tions. The results for the wood of 19 trees of about 18 to 60 years of age, growing in two ecological zones (Keran Park in the Sudanian zone and Abdoulaye in the Guinean zone), show that density, infra- density, compressive yield stress and anisotropic shrinkage are all higher in the Keran trees. Regarding shrinkage, FSP, MOE, tensile strength and hardness, no significant differences were found between the two sites. The expected cor- relations were found between density and hardness. The study also shows that the physical and mechanical properties of Pterocarpus erinaceus wood are virtu- ally unaffected by cambium age.