Influence of altitude and stand age on basic density, anatomical, and chemical characteristics of candeia wood - Eremanthus erythropappus

Abstract

This work aimed to study the influence of tree age and altitude on some anatomical elements characteristics (basic density, total extractives, lignin, and leached ashes) of candeia wood. The sampled trees were collected in the Aiuruoca County, Minas Gersis State, Brazil, in two different altitudes (1,000 and 1,100m above sea level). From each altitude level 15 trees, enclosed in 3 diametric classes, were cut. Disks were taken from the trunk base of each tree in order to determine the age, the anatomical characteristics, and the basic density. Random samples from the trees trunks were collected for the chemical analyses. The wood density varied from 0.74 to 0.68 g/cm³ in the trees collected at 1,000 and 1,100m of altitude respectively, being higher in the older trees. The wood anatomical characteristics of both sites were similar, with some variations in the amount of vases and pit sizes. Oily cells were observed in the radial parenchyma tissue. The vases frequency was lower in the older trees. The content of total extractives, amount of lignin, and leached ashes were statistically different in the two studied sites. The youngest trees presented higher leached ashes content; total extractives and lignin were not influenced by tree age.