The multiple-use of planted forests by the forest products industrial sector has been increased gradually. Today, eucalyptus wood is used for nobler applications. However, some limitations, such as the presence of growth stresses, are responsible for great losses in the sector. Growth stresses generate cracks in the tops of logs and boards followed by warping. In this context, the objectives of the present work were to evaluate the growth stresses in individual Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus urophylla with different diameter and height classes, by the longitudinal residual strain (LRS) nondestructive method, around the trees circumference. The average longitudinal residual strain, associated to the Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus urophylla growth stresses, were 0.106 and 0.092 mm, respectively. For Corymbia citriodora, the diameter at breast height (DBH) had a negative significant correlation with the LRS, while the height did not show a significant correlation. For Eucalyptus urophylla, a negative significant correlation between LRS and both variables, DBH and height, was observed. Indeed, growth stresses were lower for greater DBH and heights.
Eucalyptus; Longitudinal residual deformation; Growth tensions
