Wood Properties and Timber Management in Uganda's Furniture Workshops

The study documented timber species,timber management practices, physical and mechanical properties of timber used in furniture workshops. Basic Density, machining properties, Nail Holding Capacity and Cleavage Resistance were assessed. Commonest: Albizia coriaria, Markhamia lutea and Chrysophyllum albidum; Scarce: Khaya spp, Melicia excelsa and Olea spp. 69% of the workshops lacked timber stores,3% had timber stacks. Majority (95%) of the carpenters did not season timber.49% put finished products to the open weather conditions.97% did not grade timber.The BD of A. coriaria, M. lutea and C. albidum at 13% moisture content were 764, 684 and 712 kgm-3 respectively. C. albidum, M. lutea and A. coriaria had excellent,good,and poor machining properties respectively. The CR of A. coriaria, M. lutea and C. albidum were 50, 57 and 49 Nmm-1 respectively. M. lutea had the highest NHC. Tangential NHC was highest and Axial NHC lowest for all. M. lutea and C. albidum are fit for use as decorative furniture members while A. coriaria is fit for structural strength in making furniture. The furniture workshops should get registered. Further research on wood modification of documented species.