*3.3.1 Moisture content*

The moisture content of oil palm fronds is similar to oil palm trunks. The oil palm moisture content recorded ranges between 100% and 500%. A progressive rise in moisture content is shown onward with the trunk height and towards the central section, while the lower and outer positions were should far lower values than the other two sections [33]. An increase in the number of vascular bundles causes a decrease in the percentage of parenchyma cells, which have a high capacity in water absorption [50].

#### *3.3.2 Density*

Due to its monocotyledonous nature, there is a tremendous variety of density values at different oil palm fronds like the oil palm trunk. The density values range for oil palm trunk is from 200 to 600 kg/m<sup>3</sup> with an average density is 370 kg/m<sup>3</sup> . The density of the oil palm trunk decreases linearly with the trunk height and towards the centre of the trunk [33]. These fluctuations are due to various factors. Beyond the trunk, the density is mainly influenced by the number of vascular bundles per square unit, reducing the centre. Nonetheless, vascular bundles existing younger at the top end influenced changes in density onward trunk height. Although the bundle is smaller in size and cell walls are thinner, proportionally, a higher per square centimetre is higher.
