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Management and Perfomance of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis in Murewa and
Mutoko Districts of Zimbabwe
By A.Mandondo and J.Jackson
Price:  [Z$30]

The standards of management achieved by eucalypt growers in Zimbabwes rural
areas affect the perfomance of the woodlots.  Mean annual increment, as an
indicator of woodlot achievement, was recorded and related to levels of
management.  Management inputs in eucalypt woodlots in Murewa and Mutoko
districts are low.  Resource constrained tree-growers operate below technical optima.  Consequently, the perfomance of their woodlots is poor.  The mean annual
increments of woodlots in the two districts are well below the standards achieved
under commercial silvicultural conditions and projections made fro the Rural
Afforestration Programme.  The use of these lower mean annual increments in
cost-benefit analysis weakens the economic justification of massive expansion of
eucalypt plantings.  The estimated mean annual increments of eucalypt woodlots
in the two districts were similar to those for local indigenous woodland.  This level
of perfomance does not justify the clearing of natural woodlands for establishment
of eucalypt woodlots.  Current and future social forestry programmes must continue
to emphasise a much broader approach linking a multiple species planting strategy
to satisfy a wider set of smallholder needs with a more intense management of
existing indigenous woodland.