Soil properties and variability of tracheid dimensions and wood density in Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis

Abstract

The understanding of wood quality in relation to different forest sites is of fundamental relevance in current timber market. There are only few studies available concerning soil and wood quality of tropical pinots. So, the goal of this work was to characterize tracheid dimensions and wood density of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, correlating these variables with soil properties at different sites. Discs were taken at 1.3 m height and comprised two radial samples in each of the four dominant trees removed at four different sites. Measurements for wood density were made from the third to the eleventh year old rings, and the measurement of tracheid dimensions were made in the fourth, eighth and eleventh year sold rings. The soil, collected in the canopy projection area of each tree was analyzed chemically and physically in different layers. The tracheid dimensions and wood density showed stabilization between the eighth and the eleventh years old rings. Moreover, the tracheid dimensions varied between sites and did not present a pattern of variation in relation to soil properties at the different sites.