Does heartwood formation early process in Beninese coppice teak stands?

Abstract

Teak heartwood formation process is less documented especially in Benin where the species has been widely established by farmers under coppice regime and provide woods largely used by consumers in cities. The objectives of this study were to determine the beginning age of heartwood formation process in coppice teak plantations and the impact of age and plant communities on heartwood percentage. Based on 54 discs sampled from plantations of divers ages in the two widest plant communities spread in Atlantic department, percentages of heartwood were assessed and compared as function of trees age and plant communities. Our findings revealed that heartwood formation begins early and that the coppice regime tends to quicken the heartwood formation process. The percentage of heartwood diminishes along tree from the base to the crown base while generally it increases with the age once the process began. There was statistically no difference between heartwood percentages formed at different ages. But at the same age significant difference exists between plant communities. Sound place choices for coppice teak stands establishment could help farmers to improve the physic-mechanical, chemical and biological characteristics of their woods as they depend on heartwood formation and percentage.