Wood properties and growth of Cunninghamia lanceolata: a natural alternative for treated Pinus sp. timber
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6008/CBPC2179-6858.2022.007.0001Keywords:
Chinese fir, Specific strength, MAI, BrazilAbstract
Cunninghamia lanceolata (Chinese fir) is the main timber species in China with desirable wood properties and silviculture characteristics and has a high potential to be planted in Brazil. We aimed to assess selected wood properties of C. lanceolata from an experimental plantation in São Paulo, Brazil, since there is no information about this timber grown in Brazil. We also assessed the growth and increment rate of this plantation. Despite its low density (434 kg m-3), C. lanceolata timber has good mechanical properties, as well as low shrinkage. The studied timber showed superior properties than most Pinus sp. planted in Brazil and Eucalyptus grandis, especially when considering the strength to weight ratio. Together with its known high durability, our results show that C. lanceolata has potential for many applications from furniture to engineered products for structural purposes. The increment rate of the stand was low, probably because of the lack of management practices. But the species has high growth potential, reaching 41 m-3 ha-1 year-1 in China. After genetic improvement and under proper management, Cunninghamia lanceolata can be an ally of the Timber Industry in Brazil and other countries with adequate climate for the species and be used as a substitute to treated Pinus sp. wood.
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