Tissue and resin canal biometry of Pinus radiata D. Don. and Pinus caribaea Morelet wood from plantation forest

Pinus radiata and Pinus caribaea are valuable commercial timbers in international wood market. These conifers grown in non-native environment such as Tropical Africa have inadequate information about their wood to guarantee efficient utilization. This study examined the tissues and resin canal properties of P. caribaea and P. radiata woods obtained from plantations established in moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana. The anatomical characteristics found were comparable with same and other pine species grown in native and more dominant regions for pulping and solid wood products development. The proportion of tracheid significantly decreased (p < 0.05) from the base to the top section of P. radiata. This was not so for the sapwood of P. caribaea. The tracheid properties and resin canal area in the axial positions of P. radiata and P. caribaea were significantly different. These findings will support other information to provide a suitable basis for efficient processing and utilization of P. radiata and P. caribaea wood from tropical plantations.