Stem Quality and Wood Basic Density of Eucalyptus Species Grown at Wino Forest Plantation, Ruvuma Region, Tanzania

作者：Shanel Ribeatus Mpiluka, Sami D. Madundo, Chelestino Balama, Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa · 发表于：East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.37284/eajfa.9.1.4328 · 研究领域：Wood Treatment and Properties、Forest ecology and management、Tree Root and Stability Studies

Understanding variation in stem form and wood basic density (WBD) is essential for selecting Eucalyptus species suited to saw timber, pole production, and bioenergy in Tanzania. This study quantified differences in stem straightness, forking, damage, and WBD among 40 Eucalyptus entries (38 species/provenances and two GC hybrid clones) in an eight-year replicated trial at Wino Forest Plantation, southern Tanzania. Stem quality traits were visually scored and combined into a Composite Stem Quality Score (CSQS), while WBD was determined from breast-height increment cores using the gravimetric method. Statistical analyses revealed significant genetic variation. Stem straightness and forking differed highly significantly (χ²(78) = 950.0 and χ²(78) = 156.6, respectively; p < 0.001), whereas damage showed no significant variation (p = 0.971), indicating uniform environmental effects. WBD also varied strongly (F(39, 120) = 7.82, p < 0.001), ranging from 388 kg m⁻³ (E. argophloia) to 723 kg m⁻³ (E. biturbinata). A weak negative correlation (r = –0.249, p = 0.121) between CSQS and WBD suggested a mild trade-off between stem form and wood density. The highest straightness (>90%) was observed in E. cloeziana, GC15_GRL, and selected E. grandis provenances, while E. alba and E. globulus had the lowest (<15%). Forking was minimal in GC15_GRL, E. grandis (New F), and E. dunnii, and damage remained below 3% in top entries like GC15_GRL and GC584_GRL. CSQS ranged from 9.0 (GC15_GRL...