EFFECT OF PRUNING INTENSITY ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF Eucalyptus saligna Smith

Abstract

The effect of prunning intensity on the growth and yield of Eucalyptus saligna Smith was studied in a monoclonal stand, in a trial with randomized block design, with three repetitions and four treatments (without prunning, 40%, 60% e 80% of total height prunned). At the implantation of the trial, the trees were two years old, and their heights were about 8m. Prunning was done yearly until a prunned bole height of 9 m was reached. Three years after the installation of the trial, the results did not indicate any differences at the level of 5% probability, for the variables diameter at breast height, total height, volume per hectare and number of trees. The results indicate that it is possible to prune at an intensity of up to 80% of the total height without any increment losses. The operational cost of prunning can be substantially reduced with the removal of the branches in one or two prunning cycles, according to the desired bole height.