Reduction of growth stresses in logs of Hieronyma alchorneoides Allemão from fast-growth plantations using steaming and heating: effects on the quality of lumber

Growth stresses effects were measured on crooking due to sawing, color and wards, split and check in logs of Hieronyma alchorneoides Allemão with two treatment: steaming and heating. Steam treatment reduced from 1500 micro-deformations to 1000 microdeformation after the treatment. The steam resented more favorable values in the parameters evaluated than the heating treatment. Crooking due to sawing decreased significantly and the quality of the lumber, the magnitude and incidence of the defects in treated logs decreased.