Roble pellín (Nothofagus obliqua): A Southern Beech with a Restricted Distribution Area But a Wide Environmental Range in Argentina

Abstract

Nothofagus obliqua (Mirb.) Oerst. (Nothofagaceae, Hill and Jordan 1993), known as ‘roble’, ‘pellín’, ‘roble pellín’ or ‘hualle’, is a tree species endemic to South American temperate forests. It is under protection in Argentina, mostly within national and provincial protected areas. However, because of its high wood quality, similar to Nothofagus alpina (= N. nervosa) and Nothofagus pumilio and in order to supply the timber trade, it is harvested in some of these protected areas under the regulation of forest management plans. Roble pellín’s wood is pink yellowish in the sapwood and brown to reddish brown in the heartwood, with a fine texture, homogeneous and right grain (Dimitri et al. 1997) and high density (1.220 kg/dm3 for green wood and 0.720 kg/dm3 for dry wood; INTI-CITEMA 2003). It is characterised by high mechanical resistance, durability and low putrefaction due to the high content of tannins.