Effect of wood anatomical elements in log drying of Eucalyptus and Corymbia

Despite its importance in several industrial activities, the drying of roundwood has not received much attention in research. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how anatomical characteristics affect water flow in Eucalyptus and Corymbia logs. Wood from E. urophylla and C. Citriodora clones were used to study the correlation between vessels, rays, fibers and pits anatomical structure and fluid movement parameters on: free water flow, adsorbed water flow and total water flow. Free water flow was favored when the vascular elements length and the fiber dimensions were higher. Adsorbed water flow movement was favored with higher pores frequency. Higher ray length and fiber dimensions favor total wood drying. The increase of cell wall thickness interfered in free water flow and in total drying. Vessel-ray pit diameter can improve the free water flow and decrease the adsorbed water flow. The results showed the importance to separate water flow above and below fiber saturation point to evaluate the effect of wood anatomy on drying.