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Evolution of tree stem taper in Pinus taeda stands

2016; UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SANTA MARIA; Volume: 46; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1590/0103-8478cr20140021

1678-4596

Síntia Valério Kohler, Henrique Soares Koehler, Afonso Figueiredo Filho, Júlio Eduardo Arce, Sebastião do Amaral Machado,

Wood Treatment and Properties

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of stem taper of trees in Pinus taedastands 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.