Effect of first thinning and pruning on the individual growth of Pinus patula tree species

Abstract

The effect of first thinning and pruning on height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and volume growth was studied in individual trees of Pinus patula Schiede and Deppe in Chongoni Plantation, using four plots for thinning trials. Each of the plots was 0.5 ha and subjected to one of the following silvicultural treatments: first thinning and pruning, first thinning and no pruning, pruning and no thinning, and control (no pruning and no thinning). The silvicultural treatments were randomized in four replicates. Fourteen years after planting, the following parameters were measured including total height, DBH, and volume. The highest DBH and volume growth was observed in thinning and pruning, while the highest growth in height was observed where there was pruning and no thinning. Clearly, both thinning and pruning are an important management option in pine species plantations in Malawi to maximize the increase in volume productivity.

Keywords

Pinus patula / Thinning and pruning / Diameter growth / Height growth / Volume

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