Basically it is true to say that apart from a few exceptions (e.g. bentwood parts for furniture), all of the classical solid wood products can be processed from coconut palm wood. As with all other types of wood, it is necessary to take into account the fact that coconut palm wood must be dried down to a wood moisture content corresponding to the surrounding atmosphere (= a function of the prevailing air temperature and air humidity). For example this wood moisture content is about 8% for wood used in heated rooms. Such wood moisture content values are achieved only by kiln-drying of the kind described in Chapter 6.
A further criterion that must be taken into account when using coconut palm wood is its limited resistance to weathering. It is usable to only a limited extent for products in the outdoor area. In addition to design (structural) protection of the wood, chemical wood protection is indispensable when using palm wood out of doors.
The possibilities for using coconut palm wood will be demonstrated below with the aid of photographs from various areas of use.
Coconut wood has been successfully used to build houses of different standards (low-cost - Photos 2, 3 - as well as executive-type), for industrial and office construction as well as buildings for recreation (Photo 4) and worship (chapel) in Zamboanga and Davao, Philippines (Photo 5). In executive houses (Photo 6), e.g., all structural parts are made out of coconut wood. Where exposed to weathering, they have been treated before construction. The coconut wood framework is, on the inside, covered with tongued and grooved (t & g) coconut wood boards, the outside is covered with pressure-treated coconut wood panelling (Photo 7). Stairs and floors as well as door-and window frames (Photo 8) are made of high density coconut wood. The porches are ornamented with turned coconut wood balusters (Photo 9). Attractive furniture and accessories for offices, living-rooms and classrooms have been manufactured (Photos 10, 11,12,13, 14,15,16, 17). Tool handles of coconut wood are in use (Photo 18), as well as fence posts (Photo 19), house posts, transmission poles (Photos 20, 21) and crates (Photo 22).
Not feasible:
A further criterion that must be taken into account when using coconut palm wood is its limited resistance to weathering. It is usable to only a limited extent for products in the outdoor area. In addition to design (structural) protection of the wood, chemical wood protection is indispensable when using palm wood out of doors.
The possibilities for using coconut palm wood will be demonstrated below with the aid of photographs from various areas of use.
Coconut wood has been successfully used to build houses of different standards (low-cost - Photos 2, 3 - as well as executive-type), for industrial and office construction as well as buildings for recreation (Photo 4) and worship (chapel) in Zamboanga and Davao, Philippines (Photo 5). In executive houses (Photo 6), e.g., all structural parts are made out of coconut wood. Where exposed to weathering, they have been treated before construction. The coconut wood framework is, on the inside, covered with tongued and grooved (t & g) coconut wood boards, the outside is covered with pressure-treated coconut wood panelling (Photo 7). Stairs and floors as well as door-and window frames (Photo 8) are made of high density coconut wood. The porches are ornamented with turned coconut wood balusters (Photo 9). Attractive furniture and accessories for offices, living-rooms and classrooms have been manufactured (Photos 10, 11,12,13, 14,15,16, 17). Tool handles of coconut wood are in use (Photo 18), as well as fence posts (Photo 19), house posts, transmission poles (Photos 20, 21) and crates (Photo 22).
Not feasible:
- face veneer for plywood (coconut veneer sheets disintegrate during drying).
Technically feasible but uneconomical:
- manufacture of pulp and paper
- manufacture of chipboard and fibreboard (recovery too low due to high percentages of fines and high consumption of glue/resin).
Photo 2: Low-cost house
Photo 3: Handplaning of coconut beam for low-cost house construction
Sources FAO Report, Assessed on 21 February 2016
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