Cerrado Woods

Abstract

The correct use of a particular species of wood depends on the knowledge of their physical properties for rational exploitation in a sustainable way. This study investigated the physical properties of Cerrado wood species and their potential to immobilize carbon. Ten trees of each species were felled, and five discs were removed from the main stem in longitudinal positions to determine the physical properties. The basic density was evaluated in all longitudinal positions, and the dimensional stability was only evaluated in the base discs. Carbon was estimated using a pantropical equation. The longitudinal density average was 0.599 g/cm³, with the Machaerium opacum species having the highest and Curatella americana the lowest average. The longitudinal variation of the wood basic density decreased from the bottom to the top of the tree in eight species. The mean radial retraction was 4.75%, with Magonia pubescens having the highest and Curatella americana the lowest average. The tangential retraction was 8.13%, with the highest being observed for Magonia pubescens and the lowest for Machaerium opacum. Magonia pubescens showed the highest carbon immobilization with 0.401 t/m3. Machaerium opacum and Jacaranda brasiliensis showed the best physical properties and the ability to immobilize carbon