Potential Use of Three Meliaceae Species as Alternative Timber Resources in Tropical Regions: Biological Performance and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Fast-growing species have potential as alternative timber species for sustainable wood utilization in tropical regions. This study evaluated the biological performance and mechanical properties of three Meliaceae species: Swietenia macrophylla, Toona ciliata, and Azadirachta indica. Resistance to subterranean termites and wood-decay fungi was assessed in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). In addition, Brinell hardness and bending properties were measured. All three species showed high resistance to termite attack; however, decay resistance was species dependent. S. macrophylla and T. ciliata exhibited relatively high resistance to both white-rot and brown-rot fungi, whereas A. indica showed high mass loss despite having comparable density to the other species. The fungal susceptibility of A. indica could not be explained by density or hardness alone and was likely associated with differences in chemical durability including extractive composition. T. ciliata showed mechanical properties comparable to those of S. macrophylla, a high-value timber widely used in various applications. These results indicate that T. ciliata has strong potential as an alternative timber resource in tropical regions. Its biological performance and mechanical properties may support sustainable wood utilization and diversified local land-use systems.