ABSTRACT
The objetictive of this study was the characterization of selected Eucalyptus grandis trees in relation to the technological properties of the wood. Sixty-three trees from a commercial stand located in the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul state were selected. The trees were cut down and the dendrometric data were used to compute log commercial volume with and without bark, stem taper and the height/diameter ratio. The technological characteristics of the wood analyzed were basic density, volumetric percentage of heartwood, sapwood and bark, log end splits, board warp, splits and visual defects such as knots and resin pockets. The basic density, average values from moderately light to dense wood, decreased from DBH to 25% and then increase up to 100% of trunk merchantable height. The volumetric percentage of hearthwood, on the other hand, increased until 25% and then decrease up to 100% of trunk merchantable height, with and overall average of 75,7%. The average length of board end splits was 63%. This large percentage was attributed to the position of the boards, taken near the pit. The high variability of log end splits (CV=60%) makes it possible to select trees with a lower tendency in showing this type of defect.
Key words:
eucalypt; technological characteristics of the wood