Abstract:
This study compared the wood properties of five species as potential wood carving
materials with those of five commonly used species. Five small logs each of potential and
conventional wood carving species were randomly selected and cut into billets measuring
1.3m in length. Five smooth clear wood specimens of 20×20×100mm and 20×20×20mm
for each of hardness and density determination respectively were obtained for each species
and tested following procedures of BS 393: 1957. Wood working characteristics and other
parameters desired in wood carving were determined using larger pieces derived from the
five logs. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of species on
density and hardness. Dalbergia melanoxylon had the highest density and harness while
Branchystegia spicioformis had the lowest density and Afzelia quanzensis the lowest
hardness. Density and hardness were not significantly different between conventional
and potential woodcarving species. Hardness for Terminalia prunoides and Manilkara
sansibarica was not significantly different from that of conventional species such as
Dalbergia melanoxylon and Bracyhlaena huillensis. A positive correlation between the
species hardness and their densities was established (r=0.774). The planing, cutting and
finishing characteristics of all the species was dependent on the density. However, some of
the potential species had colour that is a contrast to that of conventional species. Since the
five potential species do possess most of the characteristics desired in wood carving species
and also a number of them have short rotation cycle, they can be considered as alternative
raw materials for carving
