The circular saw is a tool commonly used for wood processing. It may be presented at different models. Considering their specificities, they can generate different amount of waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the generation of waste from Tectona grandis L. f. and Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, processed with two saws of the multiple type (48 and 36 teeth) and one of the universal type (28 teeth). The cutting process followed in grain direction into ninety samples, 15 for each species and saw, until the sample was completely processed. The processing time was measured and the waste was collected in each operation. ANOVA and test of multiple comparison of averages were applied. The influence of the teeth number and type of saw on the amount of waste generated was verified. The universal saw was the one that generated the highest amount of waste. It reached up to 116% more than the multiple saw, that generated the lowest amount of waste (36 teeth). P. caribaea var. hondurensis generated 7% more waste and presented shorter processing time (22%), when compared to T. grandis.

The use of tropical species in forest plantations is an alternative to supply the demand of good quality wood. However, information regarding the performance of planted tropical species is scarce. The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the lumber potential of Cariniana legalis ("jequitibá-rosa"), Zeyheria tuberculosa ("ipê-felpudo") and Cordia trichotoma ("louro-pardo") in a forest plantation. Three trees per species were sampled at age of 50 months, planted in a mixed stand with 2 x 4 m spacing in Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil. We assessed characteristics of the trees, the logs, lumber yield, and partial volumetric shrinkage of wood. Total volumetric shrinkage of ipê-felpudo, jequitibárosa and louro-pardo would be around 12.80%, 13.40% and 11.58%, respectively. Among the three species analyzed, louro-pardo had the best performance, followed by ipê-felpudo, while jequitibá-rosa had the worst performance. All species had good performance regarding log quality and dimensional stability of wood.