Abstract
Several forestry procedures affect tree volume and shape, such as spacing, pruning, and thinning. Studying and understanding the effect of these operations on stand attributes are very important for forest management. This study aimed to evaluate volume, form factor, and taper for Pinus taeda trees stratified into diameter classes within two planting spacings. In addition, we aimed to evaluate the time spent to scale each tree, measured with a chronometer. Indirect scaling was performed using a Criterion RD 1000. Thirty trees were scaled on each planting spacing (3 m x 2 m and 4 m x 2 m), totaling 60 trees encompassing all diameter classes. Tree volume was calculated using the Smalian equation. Tree volume, form factor, and taper were calculated to each tree and evaluated by stand (independent t-test) and diameter class (variance analysis and Tukey test). The average scaling time was 4 minutes and 35 seconds, which decreased with practice (-24%). Form factor and taper differed with spacing and diameter class. Volume did not differ with spacing, but it did in the diameter classes. We concluded that indirect scaling is a practical method for tree volume assessment; higher planting density leads to more cylindrical stems with lower taper ratios in comparison with denser stands; and the fact that tree volume, form factor and taper differed among the diameter classes should be incorporated into studies of taper modeling.
Highlights
The genus Pinus is the second most planted in Brazil
This study aimed to evaluate volume, form factor, and taper for Pinus taeda trees stratified into diameter classes within two planting spacings
We concluded that indirect scaling is a practical method for tree volume assessment; higher planting density leads to more cylindrical stems with lower taper ratios in comparison with denser stands; and the fact that tree volume, form factor and taper differed among the diameter classes should be incorporated into studies of taper modeling
Summary
The genus Pinus is the second most planted in Brazil. According to IBA (2019), the main use of pine wood is timber, cellulose and paper, panels, and energy, being one of the main species used in the country to produce long fiber cellulose (Shimizu et al 2018). The requirements of the diverse sectors using pine wood as the raw material are different; there are different management practices applied to the stands to maximize yield and economic gains in each case (David et al 2018). One of the most important management factors is planting spacing since it affects tree shape, volume, growth rate, and even the frequency of weeding and fertilization. Low-density spacing tends to produce fewer larger trees, which is suitable for the sawmill industry. High-density spacing tends to produce many smaller trees, which are suitable for the pulp and paper industry (Lima et al 2013)
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