Cambial activity and the formation of secondary xylem were investigated in the main stem of three arboreal leguminous species and one liana. To compare the seasonal vascular cambium behavior of these species two methods were concurrently applied: induction of injury in the vascular cambium and anatomical analysis of the vascular cambium and adjacent zones (differentiation zone). One tree species Pseudopiptadenia contorta (DC.) G.P.Lewis & M.P.Lima was sampled in three forest formations: alluvial submontane and montane. Two more tree species Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F.Macbr. and Pseudopiptadenia leptostachya (Benth.) Rauschert were sampled in submontane and montane forest respectively. Dalbergia frutescens (Vell.) Britton var. frutescens a liana was sampled in montane forest. All species investigated showed distinctive formation of annual growth rings. Reactivation of the vascular cambium was observed at the end of spring and it remained active during the summer. Thereafter cambial activity either ceased or declined dramatically at the end of autumn. Similar to the tree species studied cambial activity in D. frutescens var. frutescens showed similar seasonal cambial activity throughout the year. Based on both direct and indirect methods our results showed that cambial activity and wood formation only occurred during the rainy season suggesting the potential of these species for use in dendrochronological studies.