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Forest plantation management of key commercial forest species in Kenya | |
| Author(s): | *James M. Kimondo1 and Jan Vandenabeele2 1Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P.O.Box: 20412-00200, Nairobi, Kenya; 2Better Globe Forestry * Author of correspondence: jmkimondo@kefri.org |
| Abstract: |
Plantation forestry in Kenya started at the turn of 20th century when a large number of exotic species were introduced by the colonial administration of the time. These were mainly grown to stem the extensive clearing of natural forests to meet the local demand for timber as well as for export. As the population increases, more resources are required including forest products. Previously only certain tree sizes were considered appropriate for processing into timber. However, among products that are not very sensitive to the structural strength, young plantations are acceptable thereby attracting private farmers to grow trees for commercial purposes. These changes could dictate a difference in the management of plantations that could affect the forest systems of the future. To meet the growing demand for forest products, there are two options; increasing the area under plantation in the country and increase the productivity per unit area of land. The first option is not currently available in public land and is fixed at approximately 135,000ha in public gazette forest land. However, expansion could take place in private farms in different places in the country where different tree species are adapted. The second option offers at opportunity to utilize the best plantation management practices that include use of genetically high-quality germplasm developed locally or obtained from areas with similar climatic conditions. These should not only exhibit high growth rates but also be resistant to both diseases and pests. It also includes application of the best management practices that are free from interferences from outside the sector and dictated purely by science. Practices already adopted by farmers such as “thinning from the top” should be embraced so that the fast-growing trees are harvested first to provide some early revenue to the forest owner while creating space for the smaller trees to grow. The species are: Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula, P. caribaea, Eucalyptus grandis, E. saligna, Grevillea robusta, Casuarina equisetifolia and Melia volkensii. A short overview per species is given regarding potential yield and management practices, followed by a discussion on opportunities (forest concessions, dryland plantations, energy from woody biomass) and bottlenecks. This paper looks at plantation forestry of the key species in Kenya and how it can be commercialized for adoption by the private sector. |
| Keywords: | Plantation forestry, high quality germplasm, plantation tree species |
| Presentation Links: | |
TopicInfoForm edit
| topictitle | Forest plantation management of key commercial forest species in Kenya |
| type | PowerPointPresentations |
| thematicarea | FRSS, FPD, FPI, FBEM, SPG, CS, CAQA |
| researchprogramme | CHERP, CERP, DERP, LVBERP, NFPRP, RVERP |
| project | KCFICE |
| author | *James M. Kimondo1 and Jan Vandenabeele2 1Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P.O.Box: 20412-00200, Nairobi, Kenya; 2Better Globe Forestry * Author of correspondence: jmkimondo@kefri.org |
| summary | Plantation forestry in Kenya started at the turn of 20th century, when a large number of exotic species were introduced by the colonial administration of the time. These were mainly grown to stem the extensive clearing of natural forests to meet the local demand for timber as well as for export. As the population increases, more resources are required including forest products. Previously, only certain tree sizes were considered appropriate for processing into timber. However, among products ... |
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Topic revision: r1 - 25 Nov 2021, VictorKamau
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