EFFECTS OF TREE SPACING AND FORKING ON THE MODIFICATION OF WOOD DENSITY IN A TRIAL PLANTATION OF TACHIGALI VULGARIS FOR ENERGY IN AMAZONIA

The study investigated the intra-stem and inter-stem variations of wood basic density in Tachigali vulgaris, influenced by different planting spacing and the occurrence of forking in a trial carried out in Pará State, Brazil. The experiment was performed in a randomised block design, arranged in a split-plot scheme, where plot effect was constituted by planting spacing (4.5, 6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 10.5 and 12.0 m2) and forking, as the effect of subplot (forked or not forked). The wood basic density increased from narrower to wider planting spacings. The wood basic densities in planting spacings of 9 m² (0.517 g cm-3) and 12 m² (0.529 g cm-3) were 16.9 and 19.4% higher compared to the lowest planting spacing of 4.5 m2 (< 0.500 g cm-3). Forking reduced wood density by almost 7% and promoted a wider variation within the stem. Forked stems decreased basic density towards the base-top direction. The findings suggested that, 87-months-old wood of T. vulgaris is suitable for energy purposes, and recommended for the establishment of homogeneous plantations in Brazilian Amazonia.