Phenological studies were carried out on 10 tree species of economical value occurring in a caatinga area (Alagoinha-PE). The observations were made over a period of 6 years (1982 to 1988), but 1986 was considered as the reference point for the analysis, when monthly phenological records were made. The phenophases of leaf fall, new leaf formation, flowering and fruiting were analyzed using 3 individuals per selected species. The species studied were divided into two groups in terms of phenological behavior: evergreens with leaf replacement from the begirining to the end of the dry season and flowering only during the rainy season, except for Ziziphus joazeiro Mart, which flowered at the end of the dry season (December). Deciduos trees casting leaves over a period of 1 to 3 months ot the end of the dry season; 2 species flowered during the dry season (new leaves and flowering occurring almost simultaneously); 2 species flowered during the rainy season (new leaves and flowering occurring at different times), and 2 species (Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart, and Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.) showed two flowering peaks during each season, with immediate formation of new leaves. Seven of the 10 species studied produced fruits from the end of the dry season to the beginning of the rainy season, and the remaining ones produced fruit during the rainy season.
caatinga; phenology; vegetative and reproductive phenophases