Age estimation of Swietenia macraphylla (Meliaceae) from the normal diameter in populations of Southeastern Mexico

Introduction: Swietenia macrophylla King (Mahogany) is the most commercially important tree species in Southeastern of Mexico and is used as a guide in forest management. Therefore. knowing its age and growth rates is essential for the sustainability of timber harvest. Objective: Estimate the age (Et) from the 'step time' (Tp) method and calculate the absolute (TCA) and relative (TCR) growth rates for Swietenia macrophylla in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Methods: Equations were adjusted to calculate TCA and TCR with periodic re-measured for 15 years of the normal diameter (d) in 403 S. macrophylla trees in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tp and Et were determined for the calculation of the annual current increase (ICA) and average annual increase (IMA), to define the commercial and technical shifts. Results: The maximum TCR was reached at 28 cm of d (0.015 cm year(-1)) (thinning application), whereas the highest TCA (0.69 cm year(-1)) and lower Tp (3.5 years) at 55 cm of d (commercial shift). The maximwn ICA when considering Et was 1.43 cm in the 50 cm of diametric category with an IMA of 0.67 cm year(-1) at an age of 75 years, while the technical shift (ICA = IMA) was reached at 96 years (increments of 0.78 cm year(-1)). Conclusions: Through periodic measurements of the normal diameter in S. macrophylla it is possible to obtain its age. these results also can be used to elaborate management programs and apply silvicultural practices that propitiate the diametric increase in Quintana Roo.