CHOICE OF SPECIES

Factors to be considered
• Site factors
• Purpose of plantation
• Economic Factors
Site factors
• Climate:
• Rainfall, Humidity, Temperature
• Classification of climate and examples of suitable species
• MICROCLIMATE.
• Soil
• Physical and chemical compositions:
• Texture, stoniness, drainage, aeration, moisture, pH
• Purpose of plantation
• Industrial needs
• Social needs
• Environmental protection
• Land use needs
• Agroforestry
Agroforestry
• Selection of tree species for
agroforestry
• Rapid growth.
• Nitrogen fixing ability.
• Self-pruning properties.
• Low crown diameter to bole diameter
ratio.
• High rate of litterfall.
• Root system.
• End product.
• Environmental aspects.
Site factors
• Silvicultural factor:
• Ecological requirement.
• Silvicultural system.
• Effect of species on site.
• Fast rate growth.
• Resistance to insect-pest and diseases.
• Ease of establishment.
Economic Factors
• Relative cost and returns
• Demand and supply
Matching species with
sites
• Davidson (1985)
• Sequence of activities
• Soil pH, coppicing ability,
nitrogen-fixation ability,
moisture tolerance,
biomass production.