Woodlots
Woodlots are a productive use of poor farmland. Solid stands of trees produce more tree products per hectare annually than other agroforestry systems discussed. Woodlots are often only very small parcels of land, e.g., in Kenya some lots are only 5m x 5m. Trees are planted close together and are typically uniformly spaced. Woodlots are often harvested on a rotational basis providing a constant supply of fuelwood, poles and other products. Desirable species for woodlots grow fast and regenerate easily. Important NFT genera for woodlots are Acacia (particularly Australian species), Albizia, Calliandra, Casuarina, Gliricidia, and Leucaena. These diverse agroforestry systems already play important roles in farming systems world over. Yet they have great potential for further adoption. This is particularly evident in densely populated areas of the tropics. It is good to keep in mind that planting a number of species of trees, rather than just a few, will bring not only diversified products, but also some protection from possible pests and diseases. Recent world-wide experience with the leucaena psyllid problem highlights the importance of this approach. It is good to plant a variety of species, even within a given planting niche. For example, a fodder bank or hedgerows in the field could be planted with several different species. This could be done in alternating rows for convenience in canopy management, but the trees could even be intermixed within the rows. |
