Anatomia e densidade básica da madeira de Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. (Fabaceae), espécie endêmica da caatinga do Nordeste do Brasil

this work aimed to study the anatomy and basic density of caesalpinia pyramidalis wood, used by local populations in the municipalities of serra talhada and sertania (pernambuco), to assess the percentage of wood elements in the trunk and branches in both localities, and in the tree itself, in order to establish total wood potential for energy production. samples of the trunk (dbh) and of branches from six trees of the species were collected in 2002. sample analysis followed the usual methods of wood anatomy studies. based on the anatomical parameters of the trunk and the high basic density (>0.84 g/cm3), we conclude that caesalpinia pyramidalis wood contains an enormous amount of cellulose and lignin. due to these features, this species showed good perspectives for the production of alcohol and charcoal. the trunk and branches can be used for fuel even at the immature stage because of high fiber concentration, low vessel concentration and low amount of parenchyma at this stage in both municipalities.