Wood characterization of Mimosa scabrella Benth. for matrices trees selection

The objective was to evaluate Mimosa scabrella Benth. wood quality, with seeds of three procedures (Lages, SC: 33/13, Curitibanos, SC: 34/13 and Santo Antonio do Palma, RS: 35/13). In a 4.5 years plantation, 10 cm thick discs were collected at 20 cm from the ground level. The samples were taken to determine wood vessels cluster, apparent specific mass, basic specific mass, humidity, evaluation of chemical groups by infrared spectroscopy, ash content, extractives content, lignin content, calorific value and thermal stability. Chemical differences were observed mainly to lignin and ash content, while morphological characteristics varied predominantly in pores distribution and quantity. Calorific value was directly affected by chemical characteristics, with 35/13 wood being the most thermally stable, with the greatest calorific value. Therefore procedure 35/13 was indicated for production of wood whose objective is burning, as in the production of charcoal, pellets or briquettes.