ABSTRACT
This work had as its principal objective the characterization of branches coming from tree pruning for use as fire wood and charcoal. There were studied twelve species of the lity of Brazilia urban trees. The specie Persea americana, Spathodea campanulata, Ficus sp, Chorisia speciosa and Ochoma pyramidale with density below 0.44 g/cm3, were classified as soft wood. Caesalpinea leiostachya, with 0.73 g/cm3 was classified as hard wood and Pterogyne nitens, Peltophorum dubium, Mangifera indica, Syzygium jambolana, Ligustrum lucidum and Paquira aquática, with specific gravity between 0.5 e 0.7 g/cm3 were classified as intermediate hardness. Four species (C. leiostachya, S. jambolana, L.lucidum e P. dubium) showed larger contraction (between 13 and 15.5%) than Ficus sp. and M. indica with, respectively, 6.70% and 7.41%. The species with larger specific gravity are preferred for energy yield. On the other hand, species with lowersmall specific gravity, can be utilized for briquet, organic compositing and small wood objects.
Key words:
wave; poda; wood; arborization