Novel growth models of three valuable timber species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Native timber production offers a promising pathway to make large-scale tropical forest restoration financially viable. However, there are still many gaps in knowledge on this subject. This study develops species-specific growth models for three valuable and threatened native timber species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest – Cariniana legalis, Dalbergia nigra, and Zeyheria tuberculosa – and evaluate their timber production potential. We collected data from 14 tree plantations distributed in the states of São Paulo, Espírito Santo, and Bahia, with a total of 5,564 sampled trees. The plantations span a broad climatic gradient, with ages ranging from 1 to 50 years. We developed and compared six models for predicting tree diameter and total height. We modeled and compared the growth patterns among the species and determined their commercial rotation ages, based on time needed to reach a diameter of 35 cm. Z. tuberculosa exhibited the lowest diameter increment (0.90 cm/year) and did not reach the threshold DBH, making it more suitable for non-premium uses, such as utensils and pallets. In contrast, D. nigra demonstrated the highest growth rate (1.33 cm/year) and a first harvest age of 22 years, demonstrating that it is a promising species to produce timber for furniture, and construction. C. legalis showed a slightly lower growth rate (1.16 cm/year) and required 31 years to reach first harvest, with wood ideal for construction and furniture. These findings highlight the potential of these species for timber production in restoration projects and the importance of timely silvicultural practices to enhance growth rates and wood quality.