Evolution of tree stem taper in Pinus taeda stands.

Valerio Kohler, Sintia; Soares Koehler, Henrique; Figueiredo Filho, Afonso; Arce, Julio Eduardo; do Amaral Machado, Sebastião

This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of stem taper of trees in Pinus taeda stands using stem analysis data from 126 and 120 trees sampled from established stands in Paraná and Santa Catarina States, respectively. The integer and fractional power polynomial was fitted to estimate diameters inside bark along the stem and was used to construct taper curves by age class. The model identity test was applied to verify the change in stem form of trees. The evolution of natural and artificial form factors in the trees was also analyzed. The curves constructed from the fitted taper functions and form factors showed that the stems become more cylindrical with increasing age; the identity test indicated that, in general, the taper curves statistically differ between themselves. This showed that stratifying the data into age classes for fitting in taper functions can produce more accurate assortment estimates.

SANTA Catarina (Brazil : State); TREE trunks; LOBLOLLY pine; TREE growth; TREE development

Ciência Rural, 2016, Vol 46, Issue 7, p1185

0103-8478

Academic Journal

10.1590/0103-8478cr20140021