The Caatinga vegetation is explored for energy, but there are few studies on the relationship between of the characteristics of wood and its energy potential. Therefore, this study aimed to relate the characteristics of wood and charcoal of Poincianella pyramidalis and Handroanthus impetiginosus species. To this end, five trees of each species were felled, and parts of 30 cm in length were removed at 0 (base), 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the commercial height of the trees. This material was used for determination of the characteristics of wood and charcoal. P. pyramidalis produced greater yield of charcoal compared with H. impetiginosus; however, the wood of the latter species presented better characteristics for energy purposes. The two species showed different relations between anatomical, physicochemical and energy characteristics. The knowledge about the disparity between the relations of the wood characteristics enables its most adequate use for energy purposes.
energy; biomass; Poincianella pyramidalis; Handroanthus impetiginosus