Species Selection in Commercial Forestry

Presented by

Tharani Dilshara

Selection of species is important in starting a plantation project because the species selected decides the affected silvicultural practice and the management and utilisation of crops.

Selection of a tree crop for planting depends on the purpose, the species potentially available for planting, site qualities, silvicultural and economic factors. Before considering the site characteristics and demands, it is essential to have clear understanding of the objectives of raising the particular plantations and those factors will narrow the choice of a species. Species selection in commercial forestry is mainly determined, however, by the demand and establishment costs.

As a rule, where a native species meets the need there is no reason to choose an alternative because of the conservation purposes more prefer the native species. However, the majority of successful plantation in the tropics consist exotic species.

Species and provenance trials have to be carried out before establishment of plantations using new species. Site qualities play a major role in the interactions between genotype and environment. Site quality factors such as climate, soil, physiographic and biotic factors affect the growth at different manner even for the same species. Another major determinant of species selection is the specific silvicultural requirement of the tree species. Having matched species to the site, a further vital decision is selection of the most suitable provenance.

In Sri Lanka the main plantation species are Teak, Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) and Mahogany. Most of the fuel wood, miscellaneous hardwood and teak plantations are located in the dry zone, Eucalypts and Pine plantations are mostly in the up country wet zone and Mahogany plantations are situated in intermediate and wet zone.