Relationship of anatomical features to the permeability of Kaatoan bangkal (Anthocephalus chinensis Rich Ex Walp).

The average specific gravity of Kaatoan bangkal wood was 0.31 with a range from 0.2 to 0.5. Extractive content was considered low at an average of 2.18 percent. Vessel diameter was intermediate to large (0.14 to 0.29 mm), and was visible to the naked eye. Solitary vessel was oval, about 0.21 to 2.01 per sq mm, mostly in twos (0.99 to 4.07 per sq mm) and threes (0.24 to 3.48 per sq mm). Vessel length in 0.774 mm and ranged from 0.478 to 0.990 mm. The vessels have simple perforation plates. Parenchyma is apotracheal diffused with cells arranged in vertical groups of ones or twos. Rays up to 4-cells wide are heterogenous multiseriates with numerous marginal rows of square to upright cells. Vessel-ray piths are of the intervascular type. Fibers are not storied, averaging 1.56 mm in length and 0.04 mm in diameter. The fiber lumen width averaged 0.03 mm while fiber wall thickness was 5.5 microns on the average. The study was done to determine the influence of the aforementioned anatomical features including specific gravity and extractive content of Kaatoan bangkal on its permeability. It was found that the frequency of double and solitary pores were correlated with permeability but the effect was minimal. Extractive substances accounted for a small percentage of the variation in permeability in Kaatoan bangkal, and the removal of extraction slightly increased permeability values. Permeability before extraction was 6.30 Darcup at the middle and 7.12 Darcys at the outer part of the bole. After extraction, permeability was 6.46 Darcys at the middle and 7.41 Darcys at the outer part of the bole. Fiber dimensions and specific gravity were not correlated with permeability. Distance from the pith was significantly correlated with both permeability and extractive content. Permeability increased with increased distance from the pith while extractive content decreased.