EFFECTS OF TREE SPACING AND FORKING ON THE MODIFICATION OF WOOD DENSITY IN A TRIAL PLANTATION OF <em>TACHIGALI</em> <em>VULGARIS</em> FOR ENERGY IN AMAZONIA

Abstract

The study investigated the intra-stem and inter-stem variations of wood basic density in Tachigali vulgaris, influenced by different planting spacing and the occurrence of forking in a trial carried out in Pará State, Brazil. The experiment was performed in a randomised block design, arranged in a split-plot scheme, where plot effect was constituted by planting spacing (4.5, 6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 10.5 and 12.0 m²) and forking, as the effect of subplot (forked or not forked). The wood basic density increased from narrower to wider planting spacings. The wood basic densities in planting spacings of 9 m² (0.517 g cm^-3) and 12 m² (0.529 g cm^-3) were 16.9 and 19.4% higher compared to the lowest planting spacing of 4.5 m2 (< 0.500 g cm^-3). Forking reduced wood density by almost 7% and promoted a wider variation within the stem. Forked stems decreased basic density towards the base-top direction. The findings suggested that, 87-months-old wood of T. vulgaris is suitable for energy purposes, and recommended for the establishment of homogeneous plantations in Brazilian Amazonia.