Plant functional traits have shown to be relevant predictors of forest functional responses to climate change. However, the trait-based approach to study plant performances and ecological strategies has mostly been focused on trait comparisons at the interspecific and intraspecific levels. In this study, we analyzed traits variation and association at the individual level. We measured wood and leaf traits at different height locations within the crown of five individuals of Pericopsis elata (Harms) Meeuwen (Fabaceae) from the northern tropical forest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All traits varied between and within individuals. The between-individual variation was more important for leaf traits (23%–48%) than for wood traits (~10%) where the within-individual variation showed to be more important (33%–39%). The sample location height within the crown was found to be the driving factor of this within-individual variation. In a gradient from the base to the top of the crown, theoretical specific hydraulic conductivity and specific leaf area decreased while the stomatal density increased. We found significant relationships among traits and between wood and leaf traits. However, these relationships varied with the position within the crown. The relationship between vessel size and vessel density was negative at the bottom part of the crown but positive upward. Also, the negative relationship between stomatal density and stomatal size became stronger with increasing height within the crown. Finally, the positive relationship between specific leaf area and theoretical specific hydraulic conductivity became stronger in higher parts of the crown, suggesting that P. elata constantly adapts its water use with respect to its water supply, more strongly at the top of the crown where the environment is more extreme and less buffered against environmental fluctuations.

Heartwood plays an important role in maintaining the structural integrity of trees. Although its formation has long been thought to be driven solely by internal ageing processes, more recent hypotheses suggest that heartwood formation acts as a regulator of the tree water balance by modulating the quantity of sapwood. Testing both hypotheses would shed light on the potential ecophysiological nature of heartwood formation, a very common process in trees. We measured quantities of heartwood and sapwood, xylem conduits and the width and number of growth rings on 406 stems of Pericopsis elata with ages ranging from 2 to 237 years. A subset of 17 trees with similar ages but varying growth rate were sampled in a shaded (slower-growth) site and a sun-exposed (faster-growth) site. We used regression analysis and structural equation modelling to investigate the dynamics and drivers of heartwood formation. We found a positive effect of growth rate on the probability of heartwood occurrence, suggesting an earlier heartwood onset in faster-growing stems. After this onset age, heartwood area increased with stem diameter and age. Despite the similar heartwood production per unit stem diameter increment, shaded trees produced heartwood faster than sun-exposed trees. Tree age and hydraulics showed similar direct effects on heartwood and sapwood area of sun-exposed trees, suggesting their mutual role in driving the heartwood dynamics of sun-exposed trees. However, for shaded trees, only tree hydraulics showed a direct effect, suggesting its prominent role over age in driving the heartwood dynamics in limited growing conditions. The positive relationship between growth rate and maximum stomatal conductance supported this conclusion. Heartwood area increases as the tree ages, but at a slower rate in trees where water demand is balanced by a sufficient water supply. Our findings suggest that heartwood formation is not only a structural process but also functional.

Societal Impact Statement: In the Congo Basin, domestic timber markets account for ~40% of timber consumption, yet demand is concentrated on a few high‐value species also sought after on international markets, raising concerns about their long‐term availability. We combine market, wood, and forest data to assess the potential of lesser‐known timber species (LKTS) to support a sustainable local timber supply. Although marginally used, some LKTS combine wood properties suited to local uses with greater forest availability or regeneration potential. This provides a practical basis for selecting LKTS based not only on wood properties but also on local knowledge of timber quality and forest availability. Summary: The continued reliance on a few high‐value commercial species in the Congo Basin raises concerns about their long‐term availability. This study adopts an integrated forest‐to‐market approach to assess the potential of lesser‐known timber species (LKTS) to support sustainable timber supply in the domestic market of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Surveys and wood sampling were conducted in sawmills and joinery workshops to identify locally traded timber species and their uses. Local uses were then compared with measured wood properties and local craftworkers' perceptions of these properties. Forest inventory data for the identified species were also analysed to assess their availability and dynamics. Twenty‐seven timber species were identified, nine of which were particularly widespread in the market. Of the remaining 18 species, 14 were LKTS and showed limited market integration . Local uses matched reference wood properties, which also aligned with craftworkers' perceptions, highlighting local knowledge of timber quality that may facilitate the market acceptance of species. The nine widespread species variously exhibited low standing stocks (<1 m ³ ha ⁻¹ ), slow growth (<0.5 cm yr ⁻¹ ), or limited regeneration, raising concerns about their long‐term capacity to sustain local timber supply. Beyond suitable wood properties, certain LKTS showed advantages in these ecological attributes, highlighting their potential as alternatives for local timber supply. This approach could be extended to other domestic timber markets, with LKTS selected based not only on wood properties but also on local knowledge of timber quality and forest resource availability and dynamics.