Abstract
Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f) is a globally valuable hardwood tree species whose growth performance and tree quality characteristics are controlled by various factors. Teak tree quality characteristics such as stem straightness, buttressing, and protuberant buds/knots are important in the sawing process, and directly affect timber yield, timber grade, recovery, and cost. In this study, we assessed the relationships among tree quality characteristics, stand characteristics, and site characteristics in plantation teak in the Luang Prabang province of the Lao PDR. We established 53 sample plots (20 × 20 m) and measured a total of 2149 sample trees. The stand-level tree age ranged from 10 to 31 years, and the trees were distributed in various modes of topography. The altitude ranged from 287 to 867 masl. The results of Spearman’s partial rank correlation analysis among the parameters revealed the present condition of the teak plantation forest in the region. The altitude was related to stand age and was correlated with tree quality characteristics such as epicormic shoots, mode of branching, and branch size. The correlation results suggest that higher-density plantation at the higher altitude sites might be suitable for teak plantations in this area. In addition, we found that a longer rotation in forest management might degrade tree quality.
Highlights
IntroductionTeak wood exhibits a high timber quality owing to properties such as lightness with strength, stability, durability, malleability, resistance to termites and fungi, and high adaptability to environmental variations [2,3,4]
Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f) is one of the most valuable hardwood tree species in the world and is planted in approximately 70 tropical countries [1] covering a total area of 6.89 million hectares.Teak wood exhibits a high timber quality owing to properties such as lightness with strength, stability, durability, malleability, resistance to termites and fungi, and high adaptability to environmental variations [2,3,4]
We focus on tree quality and aim to clarify the relationships among tree quality, stand characteristics, and site characteristics of teak plantation forests in Luang Prabang province of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
Summary
Teak wood exhibits a high timber quality owing to properties such as lightness with strength, stability, durability, malleability, resistance to termites and fungi, and high adaptability to environmental variations [2,3,4]. It is widely used in the building of both outdoor and indoor furniture, ships, decorative veneers, paneling, doors, and windows [5,6,7]. Bouaphavong et al [12] indicated that tree age Forests 2020, 11, 777; doi:10.3390/f11070777 www.mdpi.com/journal/forests
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