Development of heartwood, sapwood, bark, pith and specific gravity of teak (Tectona grandis) in fast-growing plantations in Costa Rica

Abstract

To elucidate the development of heartwood, bark, sapwood, pith and specific gravity of wood in fast-growing teak (Tectona grandis) plantations in Costa Rica, we sampled three trees in each of 55 plantations and modelled each variable with age, site and different tree heights. Age and stand density of plantations were significant correlated with stem diameter at breast height and total height of the tree. Formation of heartwood was initiated at the age of 4-year-old and increased in direct proportion with age. The age of plantation had a significant relationship with stem diameter at breast height, heartwood percentage, sapwood thickness, sapwood percentage, percentage of bark, pith diameter and percentage, and specify gravity. The model for these tree parameters was model with these parameters as dependent variable and in relation to age as independent variable.