CONTROL OF WOOD PROPERTIES, DRYING AND WORKABILITY OF WOOD FROM NINE 8-YEAR-OLD CLONES OF SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA KING GROWN IN COSTA RICA

Swietenia macrophylla is a wood of high commercial value and is planted in reforestation programmes in tropical areas using clones. The present study aimed to evaluate tree growth, physical and mechanical properties, wood colour, lumber quality during sawing and drying, and workability properties, and to establish a selection ranking of nine clones at eight years of age. The results showed that diameter, height and heartwood showed good development and that clones C1, C2, and C207 were the best clones. An unfavourable aspect of the clones evaluated was that the wood presented a lighter colour (higher lightness, lower redness, and higher yellowness) than wood from a natural forest. However, if considering an equilibrium between growing parameters and wood properties, the clone C115 presented important potential for planting in a fast-growth plantation. In relation to the quality of wood after sawing and drying, it was not possible to observe a clear trend in wood quality, which was probably influenced by the early age and did not express the genetic effect of each clone.