ABSTRACT
This work had as objectives the study of the growth in DBH, commercial volume, average of annual increment in percentage of the commercial volume and the determination of the commercial form factor for Cordia trichotoma (Vell.) Arrab. ex steud., in the Central Depression of the Rio Grande do Sul State. The growth data were tested with three mathematical equations, for the adjustment of diameter and commercial volume without bark. The Backman equation resulted as the most efficient model, adjusted in function of the age of the trees. This equation also was selected for the adjustment of the average annual increment in percentage of the commercial volume, adjusted in function of DBH. For the commercial form factor the best equation was the quadratic and the values were determined in function of the DBH to facilitate the practical application. The commercial form factor varied from 0,34 for a DBH of 7 cm to a maximum value of 0,78 for a DBH around 37,1 cm, at the ages of 20 and 88 years respectively. The current annual increment in percentage of the commercial volume varied from 18,05% for 20 years to 2,22% for 88 years of age.
Key words:
dendrocronology; growth; Cordia trichotoma