Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët Boigny, DFR Agriculture et Ressources Animales, Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et de Biologie Végétale, BP 1313, Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire
In Côte d’Ivoire, the rapid disappearance of the natural forest has led the forestry industry to procure small-diameter wood, mainly from secondary forests, whose properties are little known. In order to contribute to a better management of Ivorian forest species, this work aimed to analyze the properties (density and monnin hardness) of Bété, Mansonia altissima (A.Chev.), an emblematic species in Côte d’Ivoire. Density of wood and monnin hardness were determined under standards NF B51-005 and NF B51-013 respectively. Statistical analysis showed that Bété has a density of 681.8 ± SD kg/m3 and a monnin hardness of 3.77. These characteristics indicate that small-diameter wood from secondary forests can be used appropriately for a wide range of applications, just like wood from natural forests.