Question:

Which of the following species is not classified as very heavy woods?

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Fast-growing, pioneer tree species like Semul (Bombax ceiba) prioritize rapid height growth and light capture over high density, resulting in porous wood with thin cell walls.
  • Dalbergia sissoo
  • Anogeissus latifolia
  • Shorea robusta
  • Bombax ceiba
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Wood density and weight are primary criteria used to classify commercial timber.
The physical weight class of wood is determined by its specific gravity, cellular wall thickness, and fiber arrangement.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze the timber properties of the species listed:
1. Anogeissus latifolia (Axlewood or Dhawda) and Shorea robusta (Sal) are famous for producing extremely dense, hard, and tough hardwoods with high specific gravity, typically used for heavy structural construction and railway sleepers.
2. Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham) yields a dense, heavy, high-quality cabinet and structural wood.
3. Bombax ceiba (Semul or Red Silk Cotton tree) is a rapid-growing deciduous tree that produces extremely soft, porous, and lightweight wood. Its average specific gravity ranges between 0.32 and 0.45, placing it in the 'very light' wood category. It is widely used for matchboxes, plywood cores, toys, and light packaging crates, and is never classified as a heavy wood.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Therefore, Bombax ceiba is not classified as a very heavy wood, corresponding to option (D).
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