Dendrometric characterization of a Cupressus lusitanica Mill. stand planted under a Pinus taeda L. cover in Southern Brazil

This research aimed to i) describe dendrometric variables of Pinus taeda and Cupressus lusitanica in a 13-year shelterwood system, (ii) assess the land use efficiency by the multilayer arrangement and, (iii) evaluate the existence of correlation among Cupressus lusitanica variables and distance from Pinus taeda trees. This research´s data was obtained from an underplanting system established on a P. taeda stand, partially harvested to a stocking density of 60 stems ha-1 at 23 years; then, C. lusitanica Mill. was planted in a stocking of 1,600 stems ha-1, in the highlands of Southern Brazil. In 2018, samples of these trees were measured in terms of diameter, total height, individual volume, and crown projection area. Basal area and crown projection area were summed to verify the system´s coverage area and used space. A 10-meters distance criterion from P. taeda trees was applied to check their influence on C. lusitanica growth behavior. The P. taeda performance on the dendrometric variables was compatible with its age, and C. lusitanica showed lower means compared to pure plantations around the world. The two species summed a basal area of 36.5 m² ha-1 and 34,209.2 m² ha-1 in the crown projection area, indicating an efficient use of the productive space due to crown overlapping. The correlation was statistically significant only for diameter, which means that there was an effect of P. taeda shelter trees on this variable. The vicinity to P. taeda did not affect C. lusitanica growth in terms of height, individual volume, and crown area.