Abstract:
The objective of this research was to study the effects of tapping on the volume, diameter and height growth of Pinus elliottii trees. The datas came from commercial plantations located in Itapeva county, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The complete stem. analysis techniques was used for reconstructing the past growth of 10 untapped trees, and of 12 tapped trees. The periodic increments in volume, diameter and height were calculated during the 4 tapping cycles, from 14 to 18 years old for both tapped and untapped trees. The results reveled that the volume growth in this period of 4 years, was in average 2.3, 45 % lower for the ajfected ones by tapping The diameter and height growth reduction in the same period were in average, respectively 26,64 %, and 15, 41 %, when compared tapped and untapped trees. The height was the variable less affected by tapping.
