Search

Coco Island is of volcanic origin with an area of 24 km2, located 530 km from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is the furthest Costa Rican Island from the continent and with a rainfall of over 7000 mm years-1. Two types of forest are present, low elevation humid forest and high elevation cloud forest. This study aims to establish different distinctiveness of annual rings and dendrochronological potential (DP) of nine tree species. Any annual ring boundary were not observed in C. pettieri and H. fascicularis; therefore, they did not present any DP. Annual ring type 1 (density variation) was presented in A. compressa, H. succosa, H. odorata, and P. cocosensis, however the annual rings boundary was more defined in A. compressa and H. succosa than other species. O. insularis and S. Holdridgei presented annual rings boundary type 5, fiber band and were adequate distinctiveness. Finally, Eugenia pacifica presented annual ring type 3 (pattern de fiber/parenchyma) and type 4 (vessels distribution), but its distinctiveness was limited. Coco Island´s trees presented seven species with more or less distinctive of annual ring, but three species (A. compressa, E. pacifica, and P. cocosensis) presented low DP. Meanwhile H. succosa, H. odorata, O. insulares, and S. holdridgei showed medium DP. These species growth in the two types of forest in the island and add to abundance and tree diameter, these species have some DP and they can be used to establish a chronology from 50 to 130 years.

Dipteryx panamensis is used in reforestation in Costa Rica and a genetic improvement program has been recently started in the country. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of tree trunk height on the variation of bark, sapwood, heartwood, green density (GD), specific gravity (SG) and green moisture content in green condition (MC-G), in a collection of 8-year-old provenances/progenies planted in the town of Florencia in San Carlos in the northern region of Costa Rica The wood of each of 17 families were studied based on 3 of their progenies, evaluating the properties relative to 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the commercial height. According to the results, tree diameter and bark thickness showed no statistical differences in their values across trunk. Significant differences were found in diameter and percentage of heartwood and sapwood between provenances and families. The thickness and percentage of sapwood, thickness and percentage of bark, diameter, pith percentage and percentage of pith eccentricity, showed no significant differences between families. SG and the MC-G presented significant variation between provenances, while GD registered differences at above 25 % commercial height. The variation of physical properties, especially SG, between families within each provenance, shows selection potential for genetic improvement, focusing particularly on the bottom section of the tree.

Summary The lianas in the family Sapindaceae are known for their unique secondary growth which differs from climbing species in other plant families in terms of their cambial variants. The present study deals with the stem anatomy of self-supporting and lianescent habit, development of phloem wedges, the ontogeny of cambial variants and structure of the secondary xylem in the stems of Serjania mexicana (L.) Willd. Thick stems (15–20 mm) were characterized by the presence of distinct phloem wedges and tangentially wide neo-formed cambial cylinders. As the stem diameter increases, there is a proportional increase in the number of phloem wedges and neo-formed vascular cylinders. The parenchymatous (pericyclic) cells external to phloem wedges that are located on the inner margin of the pericyclic fibres undergo dedifferentiation, become meristematic and form small segments of cambial cylinders. These cambia extend tangentially into wide and large segments of neoformations. Structurally, the secondary xylem and phloem of the neo-formed vascular cylinders remain similar to the derivatives produced by the regular vascular cambium. The secondary xylem is composed of vessels (wide and narrow), fibres, axial and ray parenchyma cells. The occurrence of perforated ray cells is a common feature in both regular and variant xylem.

Paulownia tomentosa is utilized in Costa Rica and other countries for wood production and as feedstock for biomass, though the variation of wood properties for this species is scarcely known. In this work, the specific wood properties of a 5-year-old plantation in Costa Rica were studied. The results showed that bark and pith percentage and wood specific gravity (SG) increased with tree trunk height, while the proportion of heartwood, green wood density and green wood moisture content decreased. The average wood SG was 0.26 and tended to increase from pith to bark. Low wood SG values are related to low mechanical properties, with the advantage that wood shrinkage is low as well, which gives this wood species the potential to be utilized for reforestation purposes in Costa Rica. The gross calorific value of this species was 17809 kJ/kg, which, together with its cellulose and extractives contents, recommend P. tomentosa as a biomass source for energy production.

Charcoal production from woody species from fast-growth plantations has gained importance in a variety of uses. The objective of the present work is to determine the density, compression resistance...

Evaluation of the glue line in CLT panels and in other wood composite products in general is of great interest. Non-destructive methods such as determination of the velocity of ultrasound waves going through the materials are commonly applied to evaluate wood products. The present work is aimed at mapping ultrasound velocity (UV) to identify problems of glue line delamination in CLT panels of 3 and 5 layers made from Gmelina arborea and Tectona grandis timber. The results showed higher UV in the 3-layered panels in both timber species, and low UV and the presence of regions of low velocity in UV isocurves of the 5-layered CLT panels, due to separation of glue line, such as un-gluing and delamination. A UV reference value for glue line free of delamination problems of 927 and 1039 m/s was set for CLT panels of G. arborea of 3 and 5 layers, respectively, and of 1073 and 946 m/s for CLT panels of T. grandis of 3 and 5 layers, respectively. Values below the UV reference suggest the presence of some anomalies or problems of delamination, such as gluing defects.

This work focused on the upgrading of non-durable tropical wood species originating from fast-growing plantations of Costa Rica. Modification of such tropical woods with furfuryl alcohol, although ...

Steaming and heating as pretreatments before log sawing reduce the negative effects of growth strain (GS). The object of this work was to study the reduction of GS in logs of Dipteryx panamensis from a fast-growth plantation using steaming and heating treatments and evaluate the effects on the lumber quality. According to the results, the maximum temperature in the center of the log was approximately 90°C after 24 hours for both treatments. GS decreased after heating and steaming. The average value of GS for three treatments was 2,085.61 microdeformation units (με) before the treatment, decreasing to average value to1,692.14 με after the treatments. This reduction in turn produced a reduction of crook due to sawing measured in logs and semilogs and a decrease in the values and incidence of crook, bow, twist, and split. Similarly, color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) were statistically affected by the treatment, except for parameter L* in sapwood. In general, wood darkening was observed. Lastly, both treatments applied to D. panamensis logs showed few differences in GS, in crook due to sawing measured in logs and semilogs, and in the values and incidence of crook, bow, twist, and split. Therefore, both treatments achieved GS reduction in D. panamensis lumber.

The present work aims at determining the behaviour relative to load applied and displacement and the design values of Howe trusses 7.2 m long fabricated with timber from Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Cupressus lusitanica, using metal plates. The static flexural strength of the trusses was tested by applying the load to three different points, determining the load and the displacement at the central point of the truss, and then these values were used in the SAP2000 program, to define the design values. The results showed design loads at 5.00 kN, 6.34 kN and 5.52 kN and displacements at 1.53 cm, 1.27 cm and 1.71 cm, for trusses fabricated with G. arborea, T. grandis and C. lusitanica timber, respectively. As for the design tables, the values of maximum load diminished with increase in support spans (with 5 m, 6 m, 7 m and 8 m simulated support spans). The load ranged between 59.05 and 186.21 kg/m for G. arborea, 91.38 to 286.39 kg/m for T. grandis and 57.45 to 183.35 kg/m for C. lusitanica. Although truss manufacturing with the three species is viable, T. grandis showed the highest potential.

Alnus acuminata, Vochysia ferruginea, and Vochysia guatemalensis are three low-density wood species used for reforestation in Costa Rica. The goal of this work was to study a thermo-hydro-mechanical densification process and test the characteristics of densified wood of these species. Twelve densifying treatments based on temperature, compression time, and use/no use of steam were tested. The variables of the densification process and the properties of the densified wood were determined. The results showed that the densification percentage was over 80% for wood of A. acuminata and over 70% for wood of V. ferruginea and V. guatemalensis. In the three species, the densification process was influenced by initial density. The influence of temperature during the densification process affected the heating rate and color change. An increase in the modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture in static bending and in the hardness of the densified wood relative to the normal wood was observed, as well as a clear positive correlation of the properties with final density and maximum load, the latter being highly correlated with initial density. This showed that initial density was significant in the densification process and affects wood properties.

This study evaluates 1) the effect of the thermo-hydro-mechanical densification process-using three temperatures, two compression times, and the presence or absence of steam, and 2) the effect of initial wood micromorphology on the density profile of densified wood of three low-density fast growing hardwood species in Costa Rica ( Alnus acuminate , Vochysia ferruginea , and Vochysia guatemalensis ). Four density profiles in the densified wood of the three species resulted from the densification temperature and the initial micromorphology of the wood. The initial diameter of the vessels affects the compression stage during the densification process and causes the formation of irregular density profiles. Therefore, this is the most important element in determining the type of the density profile. The wood of A. Acuminata (with smaller-diameter vessels) densified at 180 o C tends to produce more uniform density profiles than the other two species that have larger diameter vessels. The time of compression and the use or not of steam as an initial stage in the densification process did not influence the types of density profiles obtained. Similarly, the type of wood tissue and wood pattern had no effect on the type of density profiles. In conclusion, uniform and regular density profiles in densified wood are more likely to be achieve at high temperatures and with smaller-diameter vessels.

Acetylation of softwoods has been largely investigated to increase the dimensional stability and biological resistance of wood. However, the knowledge of this technology has not been applied to tropical hardwood species up to date. The objective of this work was to study the effect of acetylation on nine tropical hardwood species, from forest plantations in Costa Rica, by applying acetic anhydride in three different treatment times (1 h, 2.5 h, 4 h), as well as to evaluate this by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Results showed that weight percentage gain (WPG) of wood varied from 2.2 to 16.8%, withVochysia ferrugineaspecies showing the highest WPG, andGmelina arboreaandTectona grandisspecies exhibiting the lowest WPGs. Tropical woods such asEnterolobium cyclocarpum,Hieronyma alchorneoidesandSamanea samanexhibited statistical differences among treatment times, whereas the rest of the species studied showed no significant differences. In general, the most effective acetylation time was 2.5 h for all the species. The ratio of intensity (RI) from the FTIR spectra was greater at the 1732 cm−1, 1372 cm−1and 1228 cm−1peaks for all tropical species, associated with lignin. A good correlation between the RI of those peaks and WPG was found; the same was also found between all RIs and each other. Meanwhile, RI associated to the hemicelluloses and lignin (1592 cm−1and 1034 cm−1peaks, respectively) showed no correlation with WPG, nor between each other or with the other RIs. Furthermore, it was suggested that RI at 1732 cm−1(associated to acetyl groups C=O) can be considered as a reliable indicator of the degree of acetylation for tropical hardwood species. Finally, it was observed that tropical hardwoods having more suitable anatomical features, like larger vessel diameter, higher ray width and frequency, and lesser deposits such as gums and tyloses in the vessels, resulted in significantly higher WPGs.

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the precipitation of CaCO3 via subsequential in-situ mineral formation based on a solution-exchange process of two solution-exchange cycles via impregnation with CaCl2 in ethanol and NaHCO3 in water. The effects were investigated in terms of the structure of the wood and the thermal, physical, mechanical, and decay resistance properties of nine species commonly used in commercial reforestation in Costa Rica. The thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the woods with the highest formation of CaCO3 showed a more pronounced signal at 200 °C in relation to untreated/wood; therefore, they were more thermostable. The fire-retardancy test showed that flame time in CaCO3/wood composites was longer than for untreated/wood in half of the species tested, presenting a positive effect of mineralization. Wood density, decay resistance, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) in flexion, and MOR in compression were slightly affected by mineralization. Water absorption increased, but it had no negative effect on the dimensional stability. In general, mineralization can be a chemical treatment to increase the dimensional stability and fire resistance of hardwood species without modifying the wood’s physical and mechanical properties.

HighlightsArundo donax, Pennisetum purpureum, and P. purpureum × P. glaucum planted at 103 plants ha-1 were studied.Biomass production and energy characteristics were evaluated at 12, 18, 24, and 30 months.The production of dry biomass varied between 2.52 and 39.25 Mg ha-1.The biomass quality and production of Arundo donax were different from those of Pennisetum ssp.Abstract.The high global demand for fossil fuels has led to the search for alternative sources of renewable energy, such as the production of biomass from short-rotation crops (SRC). This study evaluated three grass species (, , and × ) in SRC systems planted at 103 plants ha-1 in humid tropical conditions in Costa Rica, considering biomass production, moisture content, and energy and chemical properties at four harvest ages (12, 18, 24, and 30 months). The results showed that the height of all species varied between 0.9 and 3.5 m at the different harvests, while the production of dry biomass varied between 2.52 and 39.25 Mg ha-1. As for their chemical properties, the ash content varied between 5.9% and 10.2%, volatile matter varied between 73.3% and 81.9%, and net calorific value varied between 15.86 and 18.94 MJ kg-1. In the three species, the production of biomass was greater at the 12-month and 18-month harvests; at later harvests, biomass production began to decrease, leading to increased moisture and ash contents, lower volatile matter, and lower calorific value. The biomass quality and production of were different from those of . Keywords: Bioenergy, Energetic potential, Forage, Pastures, Short-rotation plantations, Tropical species.

Magnetic wood is a composite material that achieves harmony between both woody and magnetic functions through the active addition of magnetic characteristics to the wood itself. In addition to showing magnetic characteristics, magnetic wood offers low specific gravity, humidity control and acoustic absorption ability. It has potential for broad applications in the fields of electromagnetic wave absorption, electromagnetic interference shielding, furniture, etc. This work reports on the synthesis of Fe

Biochar from agroforestry biomass residues is an alternative source of fertilizers for improving the soil fertility. In Costa Rica, Cedrela odorata is planted in pure plantations and agroforestry systems and different types of substrates are used in the nursery to enhance the growth and performance of the young saplings. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the growth (in height, diameter, biomass) and distribution of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N) for C. odorata plants in a nursery with different application rates of biochar produced from Tectona grandis wood residues. The results showed that the above-measured variables were statistically affected by different application rates of the biochar. The stem diameter, total height, number of leaves, and height increment were statistically significantly higher in the substrate with an application rate of 25–50 tons/ha, in contrast to the 0 and 75 tons/ha application rates, which were statistically the lowest. As for the levels of C, H, and N, there were differences, with the highest values of N and C being in the leaves and stem with the 50 tons/ha application rate and the highest values of H for the 75 tons/ha application rate. The above results showed that applying biochar obtained from T. grandis residues improved soil conditions, resulting in better growth of C. odorata saplings with an application rate of 25 and 50 tons/ha.

Growth stresses are usually present in the fast-growing trees of forest plantations and can be evaluated along stem diameter. Growth stresses are relaxed after tree felling and during sawing and drying, and are manifested in the lumber quality. Different methods have been employed to reduce the effect of growth stresses, such as steaming and heating treatments. Excellent growth and yield in forest plantations of Hyeronima alchorneoides were observed, but they showed difficulties in the primary sawing process and a high incidence of wood warping during the drying process. Steam and heat treatments on the log were used to study their effects on H. alchorneoides sawlog and to evaluate lumber quality. Growth stresses in Hieronyma alchorneoides Allemao trees growing under fast-growth conditions show high and negative effects on the lumber quality (increased warps and splits or checks). Therefore, steaming and heating treatments have been applied to reduce these effects on the lumber. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of steaming and heating treatments on sawlogs of Hieronyma alchorneoides from the fast-growth plantations to reduce the longitudinal surface growth stress. Twenty-six trees ready for felling in the third thinning were sampled and commercial logs measuring 2.5 m long were extracted from them at different heights. These logs were used to investigate the effect of steaming and heating treatments and the growth stresses were measured before and after treatment. Crooking due to sawing, colour and wards, splits and checks were measured. The results showed that the internal temperature of the logs was approximately 85 °C after the heating treatment, and it was nearly 90 °C after the steaming treatment. It resulted in a reduction of 1500 μe (micro-deformations) before the treatment to 1000 μe after the treatment. Therefore, crooking due to sawing decreased significantly in logs or semi-logs. The parameters such as colour, luminosity (L*), redness (a*) and lightness (b*) decreased in heartwood while L* increased and a* and b* decreased in sapwood, which led to the decrease in quality of the lumber, the magnitude and incidence of the defects in treated logs. As compared to untreated logs, the best performance was obtained with steaming treatment, followed by the heating treatment. The difference found between steaming and heating can be attributed to the temperature in the internal part of the log, which was more than 90 °C in steaming treatment; meanwhile, in the heating treatment, the internal temperature of the log was slightly lower (80–85 °C). Therefore, glass transition can be more easily reached by steaming treatment than by the heating treatment.

Resumen El conocimiento de las propiedades de la biomasa proveniente de clones de Gmelina arborea Roxb en cultivos energéticos en sistemas de corta rotación (SRC en inglés) en Costa Rica es limitado. Los primeros intentos están basados en el uso de clones para la producción de madera, pero plantados en SRC. Así, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades físicas (peso específico, densidad y contenido de humedad), energéticas (poder calorífico, contenido de cenizas y materiales volátiles) y contenido de carbón de dos clones de G. arborea utilizados para la producción de madera, pero plantados en SRC bajo tres espaciamientos (1,0x1,0 m, 0,75x0,75 m y 1,0x0,5 m), entre 6 y 24 meses de edad. Los resultados muestran que el peso específico básico fue de entre 0,30 a 0,38, la densidad verde de 0,9 a 1,0 g/cm3, el contenido de humedad entre 40 y 70%, el poder calorífico de 18.000 a 20.000 kJ/kg, la cantidad de cenizas fue menor a 4,8% y el contenido de volátiles de entre un 70 a 86%, mientras que el contenido de carbono disminuyo con la edad. Se observaron diferencias entre los dos clones en edades tempranas, pero estás tienden a desaparecer con el aumento de la edad, en especial a la edad de 24 meses, que es cuando se pretende que la plantación sea cosechada, siendo esto una ventaja ya que se tiene una biomasa uniforme si los dos clones son utilizados. Abstract The knowledge of biomass properties from Gmelina arborea clones Roxb in energy crops in short rotation crops systems (SRC) in Costa Rica is limited. The first attempts are based on the use of clones for the production of wood, but planted in SRC. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the physical properties (specific gravity, density and moisture content), energy (net calorific value, ash content and volatile materials) and carbon content of two clones of G. arborea used for wood production, but planted in SRC under three spacings (1.0x1.0 m, 0.75x0.75 m and 1.0x0.5 m), between 6 and 24 months of age. Results show that the basic specific gravity was between 0.30 to 0.38, the green density of 0.9 to 1.0 g/cm3, the moisture content between 40 and 70 %, the net caloric value of 18,000 a 20,000 kJ/kg, ash content was less than 4.8 % and the volatile content between 70 and 86%, while the carbon content decreased with age. Differences were observed between the two clones at early ages, but they tend to disappear with increasing age, especially at the age of 24 months, which is when the plantation is intended to be harvested, this being an advantage since we have a uniform biomass if the two clones are used.

Tectona grandis (teak) is an important commercial tree species that is widely used in tropical dendrochronology due to the formation of climate-sensitive annual growth rings. However, young trees growing in plantation conditions exhibit poor ring visibility during the first years of growth, limiting the dendrochronology application. In the present study, we use x-ray densitometry to determine the wood density profile between and within annual rings and at the sapwood-heartwood boundary in trees from fast-growth plantations. The resulting wood density profiles (WDP) can be categorized as uniform, stable growth, unstable growth, and false. The annual ring boundaries were indistinct in trees less than 8 years old. In mature trees, the annual ring boundaries are more defined. In relation to the sapwood-heartwood boundary, the WDP showed a decrease in the wood density; however, this decrease is influenced by the annual ring boundary when the two boundaries coincide. The identification of annual rings in trees growing in fast-growth plantations should be combined with X-ray densitometry and visual identification if wood density data are necessary for deriving other analysis, as climate change, from annual ring.

The first attempts to establish energy crops in the tropical regi­on using short rotation species are premised on the utilization of clones for wood production. Therefore, the present study is aimed at examining the growth aspects (survival, diameter and tree height), leaf architecture (leaf area index [LAI], number and angle of the branches and sylleptic branches), biomass production, as well as biomass flow at the age of 24 months of two clones of Gmelina arborea in short rotation crops within three spacings (1.0x1.0 m, 0.75x0.75 m and 1.0x0.5 m). The results showed an increment with age, as the diameter increa­sed from 3.00 cm at six months to 8.0 cm at 24 months, where­as the total height increased from 2.00 m at six months to 10.00 m at 24 months. Clone survival varied from 20 to 60 %, whereas the LAI, branch angle and sylleptic branches increased with age. The differences between clones appeared after 12 months. Biomass production was similar between clones, from 6 ton/ha at six months to 67 ton/ha at 24 months, with clone 2 showing greater biomass flow than clone 1. On the basis of biomass pro­duction results and the development of diameter as well as height, clone 1 is recommended for spacing 1.0x1.0 m and clo­ne 2 for spacings 0.75x0.75 m and 1.0x0.5 m.

Densification is one method used to modify low-density woods to make them achieve the hardness required for flooring application. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thermo-mechanical densification with pre-heating in wood of Alnus acuminata, Vochysia ferruginea and Vochysia guatemalensis from, seeking to stabilize and reduce spring-back of the densified wood and evaluate its performance in flooring applications. The results showed that the wood of the three species turned dark. This is because brightness diminished and yellowness and redness increased. Weight loss due to pre-heating was statistically higher in V. ferruginea and V. guatemalensis. The final density and spring-back were statistically similar in the three species. The percentage of densification of A. acuminata and V. guatemalensis were statistically higher than for V. ferruginea and the degree of compression was statistically higher in V. guatemalensis. As for flooring evaluation, the percentage of densification, temperature and time of pre-heating affected the behavior of densified wood flooring. The low percentage of densification and high weight loss in the pre-heating stage caused greater values of wear, wear index, residual deformation, residual indentation for the falling ball indentation test, and more damages in the surface indentation test in wood of V. ferruginea.

Teakwood is popular in the international market due to its excellent durability, good aesthetic properties and mechanical resistance. Teak has been the priority species in reforestation programs for many years because of its unique features. Since 1900, this species has been planted in areas where it grew naturally. In the present century, it is established as commercial plantations in Africa, America and Oceania, covering a great variety of site conditions. Cloning techniques and intensive silviculture revolutionized teak cultivation. All these factors have resulted in generation of wood with diverse qualities and properties. Thus, this chapter examines variations in teakwood qualities and properties in relation to countries where it grows naturally, variations between plantation and naturally grown wood, variations across countries, sites, provenances and clones. In addition, this chapter addresses aspects of the wood properties related to the commercially known “super teak” trees, heritability, genetic gain and biotechnology. The sources of wood variation are numerous, including anatomical, physical and mechanical properties. The main source of variation is whether the wood comes from natural forests or planted trees. In this regard, intensive silviculture is the most successful way to achieve rapid commercial prospects. Despite the fact that teak has been introduced in many countries, little is known about its wood variations, and wood properties of juvenile teakwood are scarcely studies. It is evident that our knowledge of wood produced under improvement programs is still inadequate, and the same can be applied to genetics and wood engineering, which has only recently begun.

Research and implementation of energy crops using short-rotation woody species (SRWC) are increasing in Latin America, especially for biomass production and use in bioenergy. For this purpose, one of the main factors to consider is species assessment. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the growth characteristics, the production and distribution of biomass, and the chemical, physical, and energetic properties of the biomass of three-year-old Dipteryx panamensis plantations in SRWC in three different spacings (1.0x2.0 m, 1.0x0.5 m and 1.0x1.0 m) and establish the best spacing condition for this tropical species. The results showed that the production of biomass varies between 1.1 and 42.36 t.ha-1, and that 33-44% of the production are concentrated in the leaves. At three years, the SRWC presented 50% mortality, with a diameter of 4.8 cm at 30 cm-height from the ground, with total tree heights ranging from 5.17 to 6.98 meters. The evaluation of the biomass showed a calorific value between 18.9 and 19.4 MJ/kg, less than 1.81% of ash content and 86% of volatile content. As for the effect of the spacing, the green density of the wood and the moisture content increased with increasing spacing, while spacings of 1.0x1.0 m and 1.0x0.5 m showed the best behaviour regarding annual biomass production. RESUMO A pesquisa e a implementação de plantios energéticos usando espécies lenhosas de rotação curta (SRWC) estão aumentando na América Latina, especialmente para a produção de biomassa e uso na bioenergia. Para esse fim, um dos principais fatores a considerar é a avaliação de espécies. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as características de crescimento da árvore, a produção e distribuição de biomassa e as propriedades químicas, físicas e energéticas da biomassa de um plantio energético de Dipteryx panamensis de três anos de idade em SRWC em três diferentes espaçamentos (1,0x2,0 m, 1,0x0,5 m e 1,0x1,0 m) e, assim estabelecer a melhor condição de espaçamento para esta espécie tropical. Os resultados mostraram que a produção de biomassa varia entre 1,1 e 42,36 t.ha-1 e que 33-44% dessa produção está concentrada nas folhas. Aos três anos, o SRWC apresentou 50% de mortalidade com um diâmetro de 4,8 cm a 30 cm de altura do solo e com alturas totais de árvores de 5,17 a 6,98 metros. A avaliação da biomassa mostrou um valor calorífico foi de 18,9 a 19,4 MJ/kg, 1,81% de cinzas e 86% de conteúdo volátil. A densidade verde da madeira e o teor de umidade aumentaram com o aumento do espaçamento. Os espaçamentos 1,0x1,0 m e 1,0x0,5 m apresentaram o melhor comportamento em relação à produção anual de biomassa.