Physical Properties Assessment of Chinaberry timber Melia azedarach L. / Meliaceae

Abstract

This study examined the drying behavior, shrinkage, and density characteristics of Melia azedarach L. (Chinaberry) wood collected from three naturally felled trees within community coffee plantations, with diameters of 40, 50, and 60 cm. Each tree was sectioned into top, middle, and base logs (2 m in length), from which test samples (25 × 25 × 25 mm) were prepared in accordance with ASTM D143 (2013). A total of 70 samples were oven-dried at 60°C and later increased to 100°C until reaching constant weight to determine density and dimensional changes. Results showed that the moisture content (MC) decreased markedly from 89.96% to 6.91% over 48 hours, accompanied by declines in relative humidity and dew point, while temperature rose from 57°C to 103°C. Shrinkage followed an anisotropic pattern typical of hardwoods, with tangential (4.28%) and radial (2.74%) shrinkage values significantly greater than longitudinal (1.72%). The density of the samples ranged from 500 to 950 kg/m³, with most values between 600–750 kg/m³, classifying Chinaberry as a medium-density hardwood. These findings highlight the influence of drying conditions on moisture removal and dimensional stability, confirming the species’ suitability for furniture and moderate structural applications.