Modelling of upper crown exposed to light of Cedrela fissilis (Vell.) open-grown trees by a non-destructive method

Abstract

The knowledge and modelling of upper crown exposed to light (UCL) provides relevant informations for forest management of native species, since UCL within the forest is the main photosynthetic area of trees. This study aimed to model the UCL of Cedrela fissilis (Vell.) open-grown trees, using techniques and software for digital design and morphometric analysis. The study included a sample of 53 open-grown trees located in different site conditions. All trees were photographed in two perspectives and analysed with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software for measurement of the dendrometric variables. The analysed data showed trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) between 30-40 and 40-50 cm and UCL mean values of 129.07 and 219.64m2, respectively. The UCL was positively correlated with crown diameter (cd, r = 0.97, P < 0.0001), an index of dbh and tree height (d2h, r = 0.90, P < 0.0001) and with basal area increment (Ig). The proposed methodology was efficient in obtaining morphological data of isolated trees and to analyse data related to the canopy.