Bark volume and thickness in teak trees with different spacings

Abstract

The bark in some forest species may represent a significant volume of the trunk, demanding the use of efficient methods to estimate bark volume indirectly through equations. The aim of this study was to evaluate bark volume and thickness in teak (Tectona grandis) trees planted at different densities. Volume data were used to evaluate the percentage of bark in different portions of the trunk. Averages were compared by the Tukey test (p < 0.05%) and regression analysis (polynomial model) was used to predict bark thickness along the trunk. The effect of spacing on bark thickness was compared by the model identity test. The percentage of bark in more densely planted teak trees was higher. The percentage of bark decreases from the base to the top of the tree trunk, with an average volume of green bark reaching 24% to 30% of the total volume. Increasing spacing promotes higher absolute average bark thickness.