The gross features and minute anatomy ofjacaranda wood (Jacaranda acutifolia Humb. and
Bonpl.) have been described in details in this paper. The anatomical properties ofthis wood have
been correlated with the physico-chemical properties to determine the probable uses.

Leaf spot and twig blight diseases of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. from 15- month-old plantationsfrom Khunia Palangbeat ofCox’s Bazar Forest Division, is reported. Symptoms ofthe diseases have been described. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc., a Deuteromycetes fungus was isolated and identified. It was the most frequent and found to be responsible for the diseases. The diseases were practically controlled and minimized by spraying the fungicide “Cupravit” at the rate of one gram per litre of water, twice at ten days interval.

Nine tree species growing in the villages of Bangladesh were studied to determine their
suitability for making hardboard. Hardboards were made on defiberizing the pre-steamed chips
mechanically. Strength and water-resistance properties of the boards were determined. It was
found that none ofthe species could make hardboards good enough to meet the requirements of
Class-1 hardboard of the US Hardboard Association Specifications. Nevertheless, all the species
except neem, produced good, or even better, hardboards compared with sundri used in Khulna
Hardboard Mills.

The tropical moist deciduous forests of Bangladesh locally known as sal forests predominantly contain sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.). It covers about 110 thousand hectares ofland and has a wide but interrupted distribution. There is scant record on the flora and vegetation ofsal forests from Bangladesh. About 65 percent of sal forest is highly degraded. The present work is a first attempt to document the woody flora of sal forests of Bangladesh. In this paper a general description ofthese forests containing landscape, soils, climate, forest types, vegetation, floristics and diversity has been given. The woody taxa enumerated including three monocotyledonous families (Gramineae, Liliaceae and Palmae) number about 260 species under 160 genera comprising of56 families. Out ofthese 260 taxa trees,shrubs and woody climbers are represented by about 133, 77 and 50 species respectively. Leguminosae ranks top of the list. Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae occupy the next positions. About 17 families are represented bysinglewoody taxa only. Floristic composition varies from area to area. The conservation needs have been emphasized.

This paper attempts to compare the efficiencies of moulded chairs and conventional chairs from financial view point. The financial impacts of moulded and conventional chairs were evaluated through a case study. The study areaswereBangladesh ForestResearch Institute (BFRI) and three otherlocations ofChittagong city. The study revealed that the net presentvalue, benefitcost ratio and internal rate of return stood at Tk. 113.06, 1.36 and 105.39% respectively for moulded chairs compared to Tk. 58.53,1.16 and 48.85% respectively for conventional chairs. The cross over discount rate was 29.71%. Further, the internal rate of returns due to production of moulded chairs were found less sensitive to changes in costs and prices. The study, therefore, found the moulded chairs to be a better choice within some limitations.

Chemical components and water repellent property of rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) from Bangladesh were determined. The speciesfrom Bangladesh was found to possess about the same amount of water, alcohol-benzene and causticsoda solubles compared to that from Malaysia. Bangladeshi rubberwood contains higher amount of holocellulose than that from Malaysian rubberwood. Water repellent property of the species was found to be lower than that of teak. Considering the cellulose content and water repellent property, the species seems to be suitable for chemical pulping, conversion products and various indoor uses.

Studies in the mangrove plantations and adjacent areas revealed little chance for the natural
development of a second rotation crop in the existing plantations. In some islands of Noakhali
Coastal Afforestation Division, gewa (Excoecaria agallocha) showed promising performance
towards development of a second rotation crop. Of the available saplings and poles, E. agallocha
alone constituted 35 and 70 percent respectively. Studies on the scope of natural regeneration of
this species for sustainable development of mangrove plantations may be undertaken.

Acacia mangium seeds were subjected to six one-day pre-sowing treatments and their effects
on germination and seed deterioration in germination medium were studied under laboratory
conditions. The pretreatments were imparted by soaking the seeds, with and without funicle,
(a) in tap water (25^C) for three hours, (b) in boiled water (immediately after removing from heat
source) for one hour, (c) in boiling water for 30 seconds, and (d) treating with 95% sulphuric acid
for two minutes. Hot and boiling water treatments produced maximum germination, and at the
same time maximum damage to seeds. Other treatments had little effect on germination. A dry- •
weight analysis ofseed parts recorded 21% funicle, 30% seed coat, 47% cotyledon and 2% embryo
of the total weight.

Acacia auriculiformis and A.mangium the two fast growing exotic species have been introduced to
Bangladesh for meeting the increasing demand offuelwood and poles. During last decade, thousands of
hectares of plantation have been raised with these two species. In a number of A. auriculiformis
plantations, several outstanding trees have been observed with good growth and vigour. These trees
possess many characteristics of both good growth and vigour. These trees possess many
characteristics ofboth A. auriculiformis andA. mangium. The hybrid trees coppice well and are somewhat
resistant to heartrot disease in addition to its higher growth rate. The per unit area productivity of this
hybrid would be higher than the existing output of either of the parent species. The use of vegetative
propagulesrather than seedlings as a commercialforestregeneration method present an opportunity in
genetic improvement.

The paper examines the suitability of utilization of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) as an alternative to traditional wood. To this end its different properties have been determined and appropriate processing techniques have been developed. The results reveal that, inspite ofsome limitations, rubber wood may be used for a variety of purposes.