Growth in world demand for wood implies a search for new fast growing species with silvicultural potential, and in this scenario for native species such as Paricá . Thus, the objective of this study was determining the physical and mechanical wood properties of the Schizolobium amazonicum species (known as Paricá in Brazil). Trees were collected from commercial plantations located in the north of Brazil with ages of 5, 7, 9 and 11 years. Four logs from trees of each age in the longitudinal direction of the trees were obtained, and later a diametrical plank of each log was taken to manufacture the specimens which were used to evaluate some physical and mechanical properties of the wood. The basic density of Paricá was reduced in the basetop direction and no difference between the radial positions was observed, while the average basic density of this wood was characterized as low. The region close to the bark showed less longitudinal contraction and also greater homogeneity of this property along the trunk, while for tangential contraction the smallest variation was found in the region near the pith. Paricá wood contraction was characterized as low. Age influenced most of the mechanical properties, where logs from the base had the highest values of mechanical strength.

Modelos de ajuda à decisão para a definição da época de semeadura e do padrão tecnológico da cultura do trigo.Ciência Rural, v.39, n.4, jul, 2009. Ciência Rural, Santa Maria, v.39, n.4, p.1005-1011, jul, 2009

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of tree age and of pith-bark and base-top positions on anatomical characteristics, and the effect of age on the chemical components of Schizolobium amazonicum (Paricá wood). The material was obtained from commercial plantations in the states of Maranhão and Pará with ages of 5, 7, 9 and 11 years. The first three logs (2.7 m length each) were obtained from the trees of each age. Only the effect of age was analyzed for the chemical characterization of the wood. The dimensions of the fibers increased along the pith-bark direction, while wall thickness decreased and the length of the fibers increased with aging. The width of the fibers and the lume diameter increased in the base-top direction. Paricá wood presented low extractive and hemicellulose content, and high cellulose content. The anatomical characteristics were more affected by the factors under study than the chemical composition, evidencing that the chemical elements of the wood are more stable with aging in relation to the anatomical characteristics.