The present study aimed at the evaluation of the influence of artificial pruning of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden clones on wood quality for sawnboard production, in Southeastern Brazil. Branches were removed to different heights from the ground and number of interventions to reach a 6 m branch-free trunk, with the first pruning intervention starting at the age of 16 months. By the age of 55 months, no significant differences (p>.05) were found for taper, flatness and bow of the first 3 m log as a result of pruning. The clear wood production of the pruning treatments was, on average, 94 % greater than the control. Clear wood production increased with the reduction in the diameter over occlusion (wood knotty core). The pruning wounds smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter showed 0.48 cm stub occlusion extension and the wounds larger than 1.5 cm showed 0.74 cm stub occlusion extension. The branch angle was larger for the thinner branches and had no correlation with pruning. Wood density along the trunk was not affected by artificial pruning, however, it decreased from the top to the base of the first log and increased from pith to bark. The overall results indicate mainly that the genetic material for sawnboard production must present smal diameter branches and pruning must be carried out as early as possible to attain larger clear wood extension.
artificial pruning; sawnwood quality; wood knotty core; clear wood production; eucalypt clone
