Liana-dominated forest pat
ches
constitute 15–20 % of old-growth forests in the Eastern Amazon but are generally ex
cluded from management for timber produ
ction. Here we ask if liana-dominated pat
ches may be brought into produ
ction by
clearing lianas and
condu
cting enri
chment planting (EP) of native timber spe
cies. We present growth results from 8 years of su
ch EP trials. Rapid growth and low mortality of all spe
cies in this study suggest that EP in
cleared liana pat
ches
can
contribute to timber sto
cks in se
cond and third harvests of managed forests. The most vigorous individuals of Parkia giganto
carpa and S
chizolobium amazoni
cum in ea
ch enri
chment site grew more than 1
cm diameter per year (rates were initially >2
cm yr
−1), and attained dominant
canopy positions and diameters equal to those of small
canopy trees in the surrounding forest within 8 years of planting (mean dbh 18
cm and 20
cm, respe
ctively, at year 8). Limited data on Ceiba pentandra plantings indi
cate a similar tra
je
ctory for this spe
cies (dbh 40
cm in 8 years). The most vigorous Swietenia ma
crophylla grew at least 1
cm per year in enri
chment plots (mean dbh 10
cm in 8 years), but take longer to attain dominant positions. Tabebuia serratifolia may take mu
ch longer to rea
ch the
canopy than other spe
cies tested (rates
c;1 m yr
−1). We attribute the ex
cellent performan
ce to light availability; planting in inta
ct soil with minimal
compa
ction and abundant organi
c material; and low
competition rates maintained by periodi
c thinning of
competing vegetation.
Operational, ecological, and regulation questions must be addressed before EP of liana patches can be added to the menu of silvicultural options for Amazonian forests. Enrichment planting involves ecological and financial costs and uncertainties, and techniques need refinement. We caution against authorizing this silvicultural practice on more than a pilot scale until adequate information and resources exist for effective, responsible use of this technique.