RESEARCH ON PLANTING PINUS CARIBAEA FOREST FOR BIG TIMBER SUPPLY.

Abstract

Pinus caribaea which is distributed naturally in Middle America region can grows very fast, provides wood and resin. Over the Vietnam nation, the suitable natural area to plant Pinus caribaea accounts for 24.4% which can be enlarged to 30.1% while the less suitable area is about 45.5%. The suitable density of planting Pinus caribaea is 1100 trees/ha; we should provide each tree with 200 g phosphate fertilizer when planting and repeat this for the first care in the second year. This action will have the most positive effect on the growth of Pinus caribaea; when it is 4 years old, it can get the growth rate of 17.5 m3/ha/year. For the initial purpose of small timber, the suitable density can be 1600 trees/ha; however, to get big timber for commercial purpose, they should be pruned at the age of 13-14, about 750-800 trees/ha. They should be fertilized additionally 300 g phosphate fertilizer for each tree, so they can get the growth rate of 27.6-39.2 m3/ha/year. After 2-3 years of being grown in the forest.