Growth potential of Carapa guianensis (Aubl.) in Tumaco, Colombia

Introduction: Determining growth and yield potential of a forest species is a requirement for management planning. One of the important forest species for the Tumaco region is Carapa guianensis (Aubl.), due to its high timber potential. Objective: To evaluate the growth potential of the native species C. guianensis (andiroba or tangare) in Tumaco, Colombia. Materials and methods: Permanent plots were established in which tree measurement variables were recorded for 90 even-aged individuals for 60 months. Mean annual increments were estimated and an allometric equation was fitted to estimate height from the diameter at 1.30 m (DBH). Results and discussion: At 60 months of age, C. guianensis trees showed survival between 70 and 87 %. Mean annual increase in diameter and height was 2.9 cm∙yr -1 and 2.3 cm∙yr -1 , respectively. By fitting linear and nonlinear models, we determine the following allometric equation . The species showed rapid diameter growth compared to other regions where it can take more than 50 years to reach a minimum usable diameter of 40 cm. Conclusion: Based on mean annual growth increments, and under the agroecological conditions of the region, C. guianensis is expected to reach maturity at an early age (before 50 years of age).