Optimization of Teak Growth, Productivity and Wood Quality Through Implementation of Sound Silvicultural Techniques - A Review

Teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) is one of the most important tropical hardwood tree species in world and popularly known as “King of timbers”. It is the most valued species for structural and non-structural applications and has commanded a premium price in global market. With diminishing supply of timber from the natural forests, attention has now been shifted considerably towards fast grown plantation species to meet the timber deficit. The variation in the growth, quality and distribution of teak is mostly dictated by soil-site characteristics. Natural teak forests occur on black and red soils developed from the underlying rock viz. sandstone, granite-gneiss and basalt. The shift in teak plantation management from government sectors to private farm lands and plantation companies led to intensive management of teak plantations and consequent reduction in rotation age of plantation. Silviculture techniques like thinning, pruning, spacing, weeding, weeding and improvement felling etc., act as a tool for commercial tree farming to attain the maximum growth and productivity. Stand management practices such as plant spacing, thinning and pruning affect diameter, height growth, commercial volume of timber and wood quality. The implementation of thinning and pruning regimes in the clonal teak plantation as part of intensive silvicultural techniques helps to improve the growth and productivity of teak plantation. Thinning and pruning regimes can enhance the mechanical properties without having a serious alteration in the physical properties of clonal teak wood. Lower wood density and durability of the short rotation teak compared to the long rotation teak will restrict its utilization to some extent for both indoor and outdoor applications. With the adoption of sound silvicultural practices specific to the species, the prodcutivity can be enhanced without comprimising the quality of the produce.