Commercial Height Research Articles

4,5 years -old provenance/ progeny test analysis of juglans neotropica diels in Tunshi, Ecuador

Introduction: Juglans neotropica Diels (walnut), a tree species native to the Andes, has a high commercial and socioeconomic value due to its fine wood, use in the textile industry, food and medicine. Objective: analyze and select the best ranking individuals in the walnut breeding population established at the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH), in order to establish a seed orchard. Methods: a provenance/progeny trial was evaluated at Tunshi Experimental Station of ESPOCH-Riobamba-Ecuador, which included 540 progenies from 45 families from the Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Bolívar, Pichincha and Imbabura provenances. In a randomized complete block design, normal diameter, total height, commercial height, wood volume and tree quality, including health, were evaluated. The data was analyzed with SELEGEN software to obtain the parameters and the genetic ranking. Results: low genetic differentiation was found among provenances, where individual heritability ranged from 0.09 to 0.18 for normal diameter and commercial volume. Genetic variation among families doubled that of provenances (7 to 14 %); while Tungurahua led the ranking of provenances. The best 20 individuals in the ranking registered an expected genetic gain of 18 % in commercial volume. While the best diameter growth implies a 10 % reduction in the time to reach harvest time. Conclusion: the breeding population registered a wide genetic variability, essential to continue with improvement and conservation actions. Individuals without any phytosanitary problems were identified, suggesting some associated genetic control

Variation of physical wood properties and effect of dasometric variables in Ochroma pyramidale trees growing in plantation.

Physical properties were studied in commercial plantation of balsa established in Costa Rica. Among other variables studied, physical properties varied mainly for tree age, spacing, stand density, diameter, and height of trees, which we named dasometric conditions. The aim of this study was (i) to determine the variation of specific gravity (SG), air-dry density (AD), green density (GD), and green moisture content (GMC), (ii) to know the site effect and dasometric conditions on these properties, and (iii) to establish the relationship between the four physical properties. The results showed that: SG from 0.08 to 0.21, AD from 90 to 250kg/m3, GD varied 203-274kg/m3, and GMC from 38.8 to 137.1%. Tree age affected statistically all physical properties, it was positively correlated with SG, AD, and GD, but negatively correlated with GMC. Diameter breast height and total height were weakly correlated with SG and AD, respectively. Commercial height and stand density were highly correlated with SG and AD, besides stand density was positively correlated with GMC. AD was positively correlated with SG and GD but negatively correlated with GMC. According to the results, balsa tree plantations exhibited significant variation in physical properties (SG, AD, GD, and GMC) in trees aged between 30 and 40 months and this variation was primarily attributed to the site-specific growth conditions, mainly temperature and precipitation. These wood properties can be selected by site and growing conditions.

Stem Longitudinal Gradient for Basic Density, Carbon, Nitrogen, and CN Ratio in Khaya spp.: Improved Correlation Using Diameter Instead of Commercial Height

The basic wood density influences the carbon stock, playing a crucial role in climate-changing global mitigation through carbon sequestration. Understanding wood carbon release depends on the Nitrogen assessment and CN ratio. Therefore, our research aimed to: (i) Compare basic density, organic carbon, nitrogen, and C/N ratio among the Khaya grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, and K. senegalensis; (2) Analyze the gradient along positions and diameter of the commercial stem; (3) Recommend the most representative sampling position for each species based on the diameter. The experimental area is located in Southeastern Brazil. Twelve average-diameter trees per species were cut down, and wood disc samples were collected at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% commercial height. Our results show statistical differences in wood basic density among the species, and K. senegalensis has the highest basic density, 592 kg m3. There was no statistical difference in organic carbon between species and along the stem. Stem diameter instead of commercial height improved the variable studied, confirming the research hypothesis. Sampling at 17% of the commercial height, ranging to 18–22 cm stem diameters, is recommended for greater representativeness.

Can tree hollow diameter be predicted? A study of native commercial trees in the eastern brazilian Amazon

The objective of this research was to test selected and validated generic and species-specific equations to estimate three different hollow diameter measurements in native commercial trees from a managed forest in the state of Pará, Brazil. A sample of 4,912 hollow trees, involving 29 species, was used to model the mean hollow diameter at tree level, and another composed of 3,867 hollow trees, belonging to 28 species, was used to model the mean hollow diameter of the first log of the commercial stem and the hollow diameter at the base of the tree. 30% of the two samples were previously randomly separated to validate the equations. The variables diameter at breast height (DBH), commercial height (hc), diameter of the log at the base of the tree (Db) and stem quality (SQ) were used in the modeling. In general, the models showed low adjusted coefficients of determination and the relevant standard errors of estimation. Despite this, validation indicated that the equations could generate accurate estimates. It has been found that it is more efficient, in terms of accuracy, to estimate the mean hollow diameter of the first log of the commercial stem, although it is more practical to estimate the hollow diameter at the base of the tree. Compared to generic equations, specific equations can generate more accurate estimates. Therefore, the hollow diameter in commercial trees can be estimated as a function of variables obtained from the forest inventory, and the best strategy is the use of species-specific equations to estimate the average hollow diameter in the initial portion of the commercial stem.

Correlaciones, parámetros genéticos y fenotípicos en rasgos cuantitativos y cualitativos de Swietenia macrophylla en Ucayali, Perú

The speed of growth in height of Swietenia macrophylla stands out in terms of resistance to attack by the Hypsipyla grandella borer and the selection of fast-growing families can make commercial plantings viable. The characters height, diameter, number of leaves and stem form of trees from 4 families of S. macrophylla, aged 47.5 months, planted in Ucayali, Peru, were used to investigate the possibility of selecting fast-growing genotypes. The average heritability (h2m) and selective accuracy (Acprog) between families were moderate for total height (Ht: h2m: 0.407; Acprog: 0.638) and commercial height (Hc: h2m: 0.472; Acprog: 0.687), in addition to Hc positively correlating with susceptibility to the drill attack. The stem form showed statistical differences between families and great h2m (0.984) and Acprog (0.921). The genetic (rg) and phenotypic (rf) correlations between traits showed that a selection of individuals with greater heights will generally result in greater growth in diameter, number of leaves and better stem form. The study highlights the importance of selecting families with fast growth in height and straight stems to enable, improve the quality and increase the productivity of commercial plantations with the species.

Impact of age and genotype on the quality of eucalyptus wood for dissolving pulp

Wood properties for dissolving pulp production are little explored in wood quality research, mainly when it comes to eucalyptus trees. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to assess age and genotype impact on the quality of wood from young eucalyptus clones aimed at dissolving pulp production. Five trees from two clones, Eucalyptus urophylla (A) and E. urophylla x E. spp. (B), at the ages of 3 and 5 years, from crops located in Itanagra and Alagoinhas, Bahia State, Brazil, were assessed. Three wooden discs were removed from six trees at positions 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % diameter at breast height (DBH) of the commercial height set for macroscopic characterization and wood chemical, physical and anatomical properties. Material age had impact on heartwood and bark production; and extractives, ash, xylans, galactans, arabinans rates, as well as wood vessels’ diameter and frequency. Genotypes had impact on extractives, lignin ash, hemicelluloses, xylans and galactans levels. Thus, wood chemical composition was the property most influenced by factors ‘age’ and ‘genotype’. Furthermore, clone A, at the age of 5 years, was the one with the greatest potential to dissolving pulp production, based on the following findings: the highest basic density (450 kg.m³), the highest glucans rate (48 %) and the lowest hemicellulose concentration (23 %).

Cedrelinga catenaeformis (Tornillo) in natural and agroforestry systems: Dendrometry, soil and macrofauna

Agroforestry and protected areas are alternatives to mitigate the adverse impacts generated by human activities in the tropical forests of the Peruvian Amazon. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of natural and agroforestry systems of Cedrilinga catenaeformis (Tornillo) on soil properties. The physical, chemical, and soil macrofauna properties, as well as dendrometric variables of Tornillo aged 140 and 180 years in natural systems and 7, 17 and 37 years in agroforestry systems, were examined. Results revealed variability in soil properties depending on their origin; however, no marked differences were observed due to tree age or natural versus agroforestry condition. Regarding soil macrofauna, greater diversity was noted in the older agroforestry system, while dendrometric variables exhibited a sigmoidal behavior, except for wood volume, which showed a linear increase. Agroforestry systems of Tornillo associated with Centrosema macrocarpum (Centrosema) maintain soil properties similarly compared to natural systems; however, the soil of the oldest agroforestry system showed higher activity of earthworms Rhinodrilus lavellei, Rhinodrilus pashanasii, Diptera orders, and Julidae, compared to soils of more recent agroforestry systems and natural systems. It was estimated that dendrometric variables of Tornillo show stagnation in the increase of total height at 150 years, commercial height at 165 years, and DBH at 70 years. Meanwhile, total height and DBH showed very strong and strong positive correlations (p < 0.05) with soil N content and CEC in agroforestry systems with 17 and 37 years. Estimating dendrometric variables and understanding the nutritional requirements in the growth and development of Tornillo will contribute to its more effective management in natural and agroforestry ecosystems in the Amazon region.

USE OF MACHINE LEARNING, FIXED AND MIXED MODELS FOR VOLUME ESTIMATION IN FLOODPLAIN FOREST IN THE AMAZON ESTUARY

The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector machines (SVM), and fixed and mixed models to estimate the volume of individual trees in an Amazonian estuary floodplain forest. The forest inventory was conducted in an area located in the district of Itatupã - Gurupá, Pará, Brazil. The Schumacher and Hall linear model was used in its fixed and mixed form to estimate the volume. A total of 240 ANNs and 32 SVM configurations were trained, with 4 variations of the input variables: diameter at breast height (D), commercial height (hm), diameter classes (CCD), commercial height classes (CChm),) and species (SP), with the volume (V) being the output variable. The ANNs were trained in the Neuro 4.0.6 software program, and the analyses of the fixed and mixed regression models and SVM were performed in the R software program. The AIC (Akaike’s Information Criterion) and BIC (Bayesian Information Criterion) information criteria were used for the regression models, while the following were used for comparisons of all models: correlation coefficient (rYŶ), bias, root mean squared error (RMSE), and residual distribution analysis. The best statistical metrics were obtained by the ANN of the RPROP- algorithm with D+hm+CCD+CChm inputs, with eight neurons in the hidden layer and hyperbolic tangent activation function, with 0.9827 of rYŶ RMSE of 0.2439, bias of 0.0080 and residual graphic distribution tending to homogeneity.

Effects of physicochemical characteristics on natural durability of eucalypts woods to wood-decaying fungi

This study aimed to relate the biological resistance of seven eucalypt woods to wood-decaying fungi with physicochemical characteristics of wood. Two 12-year-old trees per species were randomly sampled, removing disks at 0 (base), diameter to breast height - DBH, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the commercial height to determine the wood specific gravity. One basal log of 2.20 m of each wooden species was obtained for chemical analysis and biological tests with brown and white rot fungi (Gleophyllum trabeum, Rhodonia placenta, and Trametes versicolor). For these tests, wood samples were taken in two positions in the radial direction of the trunk in the pith-bark direction (median heartwood and transition region; containing heartwood and sapwood), and the relation between wood natural resistance and physicochemical characteristics was established. Wood specific gravity ranged of 0.51 g cm−3 to 0.73 g cm−3, total lignin of 27.34–32.18%, and holocellulose of 53.39–66.18, not being influenced by pith-bark direction. The extractive and ash contents were affected by the pith-bark direction, in which, in general, the transition region exhibited the highest values contents. The extractive showed a negative relation (−0.67) regarding the loss of mass caused by the fungus Rhodonia placenta. For the holocellulose content, it showed positive relations (0.61; 0.54) to the degradation by Rhodonia placenta and Gleophyllum trabeum, respectively. Independently of the analyzed wood and tested fungus, the median heartwood region was more resistant to wood decay fungi than the transition region.

Adjustment of Thinning Equations for Forest Management Area in the Western Amazon

Logging in the Amazon using reduced impact methods has high potential. However, one of the problems of forest management is an accurate estimation of the wood stock of a forest. Thinning equations allow for the analysis of the volume and fluctuations in diameter along the trunk of a tree, making it possible to estimate the volume, diameter, or height based on known dimensions of the trunk. Therefore, this study aimed to adjust and evaluate two thinning equations in a forest management area in the Western Amazon, in the municipality of Xapuri, state of Acre, Brazil, comparing them and selecting the one that presented the best performance for the study area. The study involved sampling in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, utilizing 53 work units and employing the Kozak and linearized Demaerschalk models. These models were assessed based on their determination coefficient, standard error percentage, and graphical analysis of residues. The Demaerschalk model exhibited superior performance, with R² adj. of 92.88% for commercial height and 95.68% for total height. This research contributes to efficiently estimating tree dimensions, essential for sustainable forest management in the Western Amazon. The application of the Demaerschalk model provides precise measurements, enhancing the accuracy of volume calculations and facilitating effective forest management practices. Keywords: allometry, Amazon, Demaerschalk model, dendrometry, Kozak model

AVALIAÇÃO DO DESEMPENHO DE ALGUNS CLONES DE SERINGUEIRA PARA PRODUÇÃO DE MADEIRA

The rubber tree was originally introduced in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, with a view to exploiting natural latex as the main source of income. However, there are some alternatives that may be viable for properties looking to diversify agricultural production. In some Asian countries, timber extraction, seed production for vegetable oil extraction and honey production have been commercially exploited. The exploration of wood has been the most important alternative, extracted when the productive period of the trees ends (25 - 30 years). Rubber tree wood can be used in the furniture industry and in the manufacture of doors, windows and other household items. At the end of their productive life, when it is necessary to replant the area, as the exploitation of latex is no longer viable, the trees have a circumference of 100 - 110 cm (at 125 cm above the ground), being suitable for cutting approximately 300 to 400 trees/ha, with a production of 1 m3 of wood/tree. However, there are some peculiarities in rubber tree wood that should be known. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the wood productive potential of rubber tree clones, as well as the relationship between the rootstocks and the clones in characteristics such as total height, marketable height, DBH (diameter at breast height) and marketable volume of wood. The experiment was carried out at APTA Regional in Pindorama, State of São Paulo, Brazil and the experimental design used was randomized blocks with split plots, with 6 treatments (rootstocks), 6 subtreatments (clones), four replications and 20 plants/plot, with 6 plants useful. The results show that the clone PB 235 is the best for the characteristic total height and commercial height and that the rootstocks RRIM 701, GT-1, PB235 and IAN 873 are the best for the characteristic total height. There was interaction between the different clones and rootstocks tested in terms of total height. Clones PB 235, RRIM 600 and PR 107 are the best for the DAP trait. The rootstocks PB 235, GT-1, IAN 873 and RRIM 701 are the best for the DAP characteristic. Keywords: Hevea brasiliensis. Diameter. Height.

Quality of Tectona grandis for sawn wood production

Forestry companies have invested in genetic improvement to increase wood production in a shorter amount of time. Thus, studies are needed to compare the properties of clonal and seminal wood materials. The objective of this study was to analyze physical and mechanical properties of Tectona grandis from clonal (C1 and C2) and seminal (S) origin and evaluate the yield and quality of sawn wood subjected to outdoor and oven drying. Genetic material was collected from six, 15-year-old trees. Clone C2 presented the lowest amount of bark, and 51 % heartwood up to half the commercial height, while the heartwood of C1 and S went up to 25 % of the height. The three materials did not differ statistically for maximum angular deviation, pith eccentricity, basic density, Janka hardness, anisotropy, commercial income of sawn wood and the presence of knots. After the drying processes, the bowing and crooking indexes were less than 5 mm.m-1, however, the seminal material showed a higher cracking incidence after outdoor and oven drying. In conclusion, the wood properties of the three materials are similar. In addition, the oven drying process is recommended.

Mathematical system based on taper functions for distribution by structural product of culms in three giant bamboo taxa

Aim of study: To generate a mathematical system to distribute structural products of bamboo culms.&#x0D; Study area: Northeastern region of the state of Puebla, Mexico.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Eighty-seven culms of Bambusa oldhamii Munro, Guadua aculeata Rupr. and Guadua angustifolia Kunth were collected in Puebla, Mexico. Four taper functions were evaluated, the one with the best predictive capacity was fitted to model the diameter over and under wall together with a wall thickness model. The fitting strategy consisted of a system of additive equations using Weighted-Nonlinear Seemingly Unrelated Regression (WNSUR) procedure with autocorrelation correction, in combination with the Dummy Variable technique.&#x0D; Main results: The Fang &amp; Bailey case 1-a model was selected to describe the diameter over and under wall; the Cao and Papper model was used to model the wall thickness. The R2adj of the system fitted were 0.977, 0.944 and 0.918, and RMSE values 0.186 cm, 0.200 cm and 0.134 cm, for diameter over wall, diameter under wall, and wall thickness, respectively. G. angustifolia had the greatest taper and wall thickness, followed by G. aculeata. The highest proportion of primary product was presented by G. angustifolia. The system generated had parameters specific for each bamboo taxon.&#x0D; Research highlights: The diameter profile of bamboo culms can be modeled by taper functions. A mathematical system for distribution by structural product type was developed consisting of: (1) a taper model for the diameter over wall and, (2) a function to estimate the commercial height.

Genetic diversity and phenotypic characterization of &lt;i&gt;Ochroma pyramidale&lt;/i&gt; in plantations in Mato Grosso, Brazil

This study evaluated balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale) plantations in the search for matrices for genetic improvement. We were evaluated a total of 20 trees in plantations in Mato Grosso for genetic diversity with ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) primers, as well as their diameter at breast height (DBH) and commercial height (CH). The primers amplified 111 loci (97.3% polymorphic), and the Nei genetic diversity (0.32) and Shannon index (0.48) indicate that there is genetic diversity in the plantations. The AMOVA revealed greater genetic variation within the plantations rather than among the plantations. The UPGMA group indicated the formation of nine groups, four of which had one individual each. As for phenotypic characterization, individuals 48 and 52 stand out for having higher DBH, and individuals 30 and 34 presented higher CH. Considering DBH and CH concomitantly, 12 individuals are within the standards. In the evaluated plantations, there is sufficient variability for the identification of balsa wood matrices.

Trees form factor in Tropical Dry Forest in north of Tolima – Colombia

The high biodiversity can make it difficult to select dendrometric models for each ecosystem. In order to contribute to these models, a relict tropical dry forest of approximately 100 hectares was selected in the valley of the Magdalena River, located in the central region of Colombia. This forest relict is in the municipality of Venadillo, department of Tolima. A sample of 36 trees of different species with a normal diameter greater than 10 centimeters were randomly selected. All trees were measured using a non-destructive method. Diameters with bark were measured on the trunks of the standing trees at different heights from the base of the tree to its commercial height using Field Map equipment and technology. With the information collected, a tree form factor was determined to be used as a forestry decision tool or as an element of comparison with similar ecosystems. The form factor for the calculated commercial volume was 0.8.

Drying of eucalyptus logs from plantations with different spacing between trees

The adoption of dense plantations can reduce the drying time of the logs, by optimizing this step. This study evaluated the drying of eucalyptus wood from plantations with different spacing (3 × 4; 3 × 3; 2 × 3; 1 × 3 m). Five trees were selected per treatment. Logs were removed from the base and at 50% and 100% of commercial height for drying evaluation for 60 days. The diameters of the eucalyptus trees from plantations with wider spacing were bigger, and the productivity per hectare was not affected by the spacing between trees. The planting spacing did not affect the initial moisture, which was higher for those removed from the top of the trees. The logs from the base from the denser spacing showed a drying rate 2.5 times higher than the same logs from the treatment with greater spacing, reducing the final moisture from 37.2 to 18.8%. The logs removed from the top of the trees reached the equilibrium moisture after the drying period. The reduction in the planting spacing reduced the wood moisture and the difference in this parameter between the logs removed from the base and top of the eucalyptus trunks.

Allometric relationships among tree-size variables under tropical forest stages in Gia Lai, Vietnam

Allometric models play an undeniable role for estimating hard-to-measure quantities such as volume, biomass and carbon stock in forests. However, so far there has been limited model development for native forests in Vietnam. Therefore, this study was conducted to build and analyze the effectiveness of nonlinear and mixed models for secondary and old-growth forests in Gia Lai, Vietnam. The study measured diameter at breast height, total height, commercial height and crown width of forest trees in 20 plots (10 plots for each forest stage). The results showed that diameter had the strongest relationship with height. In the secondary forest, the Power, Korf and Ratskowky models were the best for pairs of variables, while Prodan, Weibull and Power models were the best fit in the old-growth forest. The nonlinear mixed-effect models were better than classic nonlinear models in both forest stages. Fixed and mixed models developed in this study are very valuable for estimating difficult-to-measure quantities and contribute to effective forest management in the study region.

Factors Influencing Directional Tree Felling in the Tapajós National Forest, Amazon, Brazil

Given its complexity, directional felling is considered one of the most dangerous activities in the exploratory phase of forest management projects for timber obtention. Therefore, detailed studies of the variables influencing its execution are necessary. The present research was conducted in the Tapaj&amp;oacute;s National Forest, Brazilian Amazon, and analyzed 1,075 trees logged using the directional felling technique in a 504.30 ha area. To better understand directional felling, the studied variables were subjected to descriptive analyses and principal component analysis, a multivariate procedure that enables the simultaneous evaluation of several variables. While the diameter, basal area, and stem and branch volume explained most of the variability concerning directional felling, the commercial height influenced the least. Trees of the species Hymenolobium petraeum (angelim pedra) strongly correlated with the dendrometric variables diameter and stem and branch volume. Those of the species Hymenaea courbaril (jatob&amp;aacute;) showed a strong correlation with the commercial height. Pseudopiptadenia psilostachya (fava timborana), Dipteryx odorata (cumaru), Hymenaea parvifolia (jutai mirim), and Astronium lecointei (muiracatiara) had a strong correlation with the basic wood density. Trees of the species Couratari guianensis (tauari), Lecythis pisonis (sapucaia), Astronium lecointei (muiracatiara), Mezilaurus itauba (ita&amp;uacute;ba), and Goupia glabra (cupi&amp;uacute;ba) showed lower correlations with the time needed for planning, cutting, and felling. They also had a reduced correlation with the angular differences between the natural and effective and the intended and effective felling directions. The latter results suggest that these species do not follow a defined pattern concerning the directional felling technique. However, trees of the other species followed a different tendency. In general, the logged trees lacked correlation with the directional felling cutting and total operation time. The analyses suggest that as the diameter of a tree increases, the chances of completing its directional felling decrease.

EQUATIONS AND FORM FACTOR BY SPECIES INCREASE THE PRECISION AND ACCURACY FOR ESTIMATING TREE VOLUME IN THE AMAZON

The adjustment of volumetric equations, as well as the form factor by species, represents valuable tools for conducting sustainable management plans. So the goal of this study was to evaluate the employment of volumetric equations and form factor to estimate the wood volume of native species from the Amazon biome. Two hundred nineteen trees, distributed in eleven species, were cut down and dragged to the storage patio for scaling by the Smalian method. Eight mathematical models were tested with simple and double entries, whose independent variables were their DBH and diameter at commercial height. The dependent variables were the commercial volume outsidebark, by species and for the mix of species. The statistics were analyzed alongside a graph for the observed and estimated volumes, and a graph for the residual dispersion and the average residual. The form factor was calculated both by species and for the mix of species. In general, the model that resulted in the best estimative was the Schumacher-Hall method. The same can be observed for the mix of species. The average form factor was 0.7978, differing from the established by the legislation, which is equal to 0.7.

Effect of stem height in variation of bark, heartwood, sapwood and physical properties of wood in &lt;i&gt;Dipteryx panamensis&lt;/i&gt; Pittier in a provenance/progeny test

Dipteryx panamensis is used in reforestation in Costa Rica and a genetic improvement program has been recently started in the country. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of tree trunk height on the variation of bark, sapwood, heartwood, green density (GD), specific gravity (SG) and green moisture content in green condition (MC-G), in a collection of 8-year-old provenances/progenies planted in the town of Florencia in San Carlos in the northern region of Costa Rica The wood of each of 17 families were studied based on 3 of their progenies, evaluating the properties relative to 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the commercial height. According to the results, tree diameter and bark thickness showed no statistical differences in their values across trunk. Significant differences were found in diameter and percentage of heartwood and sapwood between provenances and families. The thickness and percentage of sapwood, thickness and percentage of bark, diameter, pith percentage and percentage of pith eccentricity, showed no significant differences between families. SG and the MC-G presented significant variation between provenances, while GD registered differences at above 25 % commercial height. The variation of physical properties, especially SG, between families within each provenance, shows selection potential for genetic improvement, focusing particularly on the bottom section of the tree.