Objective Through the comprehensive evaluation of the adaptability, growth and form quality traits of teak(Tectona grandis Linn.f.) forests (provenance / family) of early and 29-year-old established in southwestern Yunnan, the purpose is to select the superior provenances / families of teak with strong adaptability, fast growth and excellent form quality for the local region.

Method Thirty-four provenances and families of teak were collected from China and abroad. Using a completely random block design with (2 × 2) plant plots and 8 replicates to establish trial plantation, the conservation rate and growth difference of the early 2-8 year old and 29-year old trees were investigated, analyzed and compared. The conservation rate, the growth and quality traits of dominant trees of 29-year old provenances/families were analyzed by principal component analysis, and excellent provenances/families were evaluated comprehensively.

Result There was no significant difference in the preservation rate between the 2-8-year-old teak provenances/families in the early stage, while the difference in the preservation rate between the 29-year-old provenances/ families was extremely significant. However, the differences in growths and quality traits between 2-8-year-old or 29-year-old provenances / families were extremely significant. The average tree height, average DBH and average tree volume of 2-8-year-old best provenances / families were 1.38-1.91 times, 1.63-2.18 times and 3.82-5.17 times of the worst growing ones, respectively. The average tree height, average DBH, average tree volume, stem straightness and trunk height of 29-year-old dominant trees from the best provenances were 1.84 times, 1.87 times, 4.84 times, 2.18 times and 12.89 times of those from the worst provenances, respectively. Greater yield-increasing benefits can be obtained through the selection of excellent provenance / family. The preservation rate and growth traits of dominant trees of 29-year-old provenances/families were significantly correlated with the growth traits of 4-8-year-old dominant trees. The stem straightness of dominant trees of 29-year-old provenances / families was significantly correlated with the growth traits of dominant trees, and the tree height of dominant trees was significantly correlated with the average tree height and individual volume growth of dominant trees. The cumulative contribution rate of the first three principal components of 29-year-old provenances / families preservation rate, growth and form quality traits was 97.63%. According to the comprehensive score in the first three principal components of the provenances / families, seven excellent provenances / families （8410、8603、8407、8602、85131、1007 and 7564^#）were selected according to the selection rate of 20%.

Conclusion The genetic gains of dominant tree height, DBH, individual volume, stem straightness and trunk height of the seven provenances / families selected at 29 years old are 7.92%, 9.39%, 14.74%, 7.06% and 12.29%, respectively. Among them, provenance 8410 from Yunnan Longchuan Forest Farm and provenance 8603 from Hainan Jianfengling are more suitable for local growth.