COMPARACIÓN DE ALGUNOS REGÍMENES DE ESPESURA EN PLANTACIONES DE TECA EN EL ÀREA EXPERIMENTAL DE LA RESERVA FORESTAL DE CAPARO, VENEZUELA

We present a comparative yield study from permanent plots in 18.7 year-old teak plantations with different stocking levels (spacing + thinning regime treatments) at the Caparo Forest Experimental Station (Barinas, Venezuela). The goal was to obtain preliminary comparative information about the effects of late thinning in teak plantations. The plots represent a series of stocking levels including from narrow spacing (2500 trees/ha: 2 X 2 m) to wide spacing (4 X 4 m), and with zero, one, or two thinnings. The results show the effects of stocking levels on yield of products with diameter specification greater than 25 cm. Plots with intensive thinning (plots 31 and 32) and wide spacing and moderate thinning (plot 8 with 4 X 4 m, and thinning at age 13.8 years) showed the greatest proportion of timber products with diameter specifications of 25, 30, and 35 cm. In reference to late thinning, the results suggest that there is not danger of damaging the plantation by prescribing heavy thinnings (up to 60% of the actual density). If the goal is to produce saw timber, the best stocking regime for these plantations appears to be a wide initial spacing (4 X 4 m) and a relatively heavy commercial thinning at ages between 10 and 14 years.