In some south american countries logging is carried out only after full moon has passed (this mainly in natural managed or unmanaged forests, not so in intensively managed plantations). This belief is sustained not only by rural people but even among highly qualified technicians. In informal discussions, the reasoning goes that a tree cut, for example, in the moon´s first quarter contains too much water in the stem, thus when felled and left in the forest it is highly prone to insect and other pest attack, so the wood decay very fast.

Is this "belief" followed in other tropical american, asian or african countries? is there any scientific support , or it is just based on the old tradition of farmer lunar calendars that makes recomendations for the times of sowing, pruning, and harvesting?

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