Managing

Cupressus lusitanica
Plantation

Negash Mamo
and
Mohammed Adilo

Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization

 Managing
Cupressus lusitanica
Plantation

©EARO 2004

http://www.earo.org.et
Fax:251-1-461294
Tel.:251-1-462633
P.O. Box: 2003
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Copyediting: Simachew Manaye and Matebu Tadesse

Keying and correction: Elisabeth Baslyos
Page layout and design: Abebe Kirub
Printing and binding: Abesolom Kassa, Wudinesh Mamo,
and Miftah Hargeta
Distribution: Aklilu Wube, Enanu Dagne, Bogalech Abebe,
and Trualem Bizuneh
Technical advice: Abebe Kirub
Table of contents
Introduction 1

Species description 2

Silvicultural management 3

Establishing plantation 4

Growth and yield of stand 5

Wood property and utilization 17

Liability to pests and diseases 19

 Introduction
Cuppressus lustanica was introduced to Ethiopia from different countries probably
before 1950 (Pukala and Pohjonen 1993; Negash et al. 1995). Then, through
reforestation programs, it was distributed to different parts of the country including
Munesa Shashemene where it was widely planted as industrial crop. Small-scale C.
lustanica plantations were started at Munessa around Sawmills, and large-scale
plantations were continued during the 1960's and subsequent years. Currently,
plantation of this species constitutes the main portion of the Munesa Shashemene
Wood Industry Enterprise.

Munesa Shashemene Wood Industry Enterprise is located between 6 o 50' and 7o 38' N
and 38 o 30' and 39 o 06' E. It is found at about 240 km south of Addis Ababa in Arsi
Zone, Oromiya Regional State. It extends from north eastern edge of Lake Langano to
Southeast of Shashemene Town. It lies within Woyena Dega and Dega, i.e., mid
highland and highland climatic zones characterised by high rainfall during the main
rainy seasons. It has bi-modal rainfall: in the main season, from the end of June to
September, and a short rainy season, from February to April. The mean annual rainfall
of the area is 1050 mm.

The Enterprise is a mergence of several branches of small-scale plantations around

sawmills, which were owned by different bodies in the past. Area of the Enterprise is
divided into three subareas: Munesa, Gambo, and Shashemene. Now, its area is
estimated to be 45,169 ha. About 53,000 ha of its previous area was already converted
to farmlands. Munesa has the highest total annual rainfall compared to Gambo and
Shashemene. Variability of topographic features of the Enterprise results in rainfall
and temperature variation. Maximum temperature of the area is 25 oC and the
minimum is 7 oC. The minimum temperature occurs in November, whereas the
maximum is in May.

Soils are reddish, freely draining and of medium to heavy texture (Chaffy 1978).
Lungren (1971) described the soil as Ferasol and reported that the level of readily
available chemical nutrients in the soil is high accept phosphorous, which is markedly
deficient. Soil pH varies between 5.8 and 6.7. According to Yeshanew and Wolfgang
(2003), samples taken from Degaga indicated that the soils are Nitosol. These different
results suggest variations in the soil of Munesa Shashemene.

Most of the sites are favourable for C. lusitanica growth. However, the species has
narrow genetic base and susceptibility to natural calamities (Burley and Wood 1976;
Albrecht 1993). Thus, broadening its genetic base through introduction of provenances
and selection of superior qualities contributes much to the development of cypress-
based industrial plantation.

1
Despite the economic importance of C. lusitanica, little is known of its performance at
different sites and ages. So far, the Enterprise has no adequate information on the
species that could help to promote any activities for this species and for preparation of
management plans. The information generated in this work can assist field technicians
and managers in plantation development activities. Moreover, the work gives insight
about the species character, silvicultural management practices, growth performance
under different sites and age classes, wood properties and utilization and liability to
pests and diseases.

2
 Species Description
The genus Cupressus is native to warm temperate climate in the northern hemisphere.
It is found around the Mediterranean, in North America, and Asia. At least 25 taxa
were identified and described as species. These taxa were considered to be species,
related species, subspecies or simple varieties (Cros et al.1999).

Natural Distribution
C. lusitanica is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, where it is widely found
in the central mountain ranges between 1800 and 2600 m. It is also found in Salvador,
Nicaragua and Costa Rica upto 3000 m altitude. It can grow upto 30 m high 1.2 m
diameter. It is not resistant to dry or cold air and it requires moist soils (Cros et
al.1999).

Distinctive Traits
C. lusitanica has easily identifiable morphological characteristics. It has branchlets,
which are subcylindrical and rough. The branchlets are radial (aligned along a single
plane), and their transverse section is retrogonal. Their leaves are green or blue green.
Resin glands are nearly invisible. Their rhytodome is fibrous. Cones are subovulate
and have 6–10 scales (Cros et al.1999).

Biology
C. lusitanica is monoecious. The first flowering of the species may take three to four
years. Flowering buds are initiated in December. Staminate and ovulate strobili are
produced on the ends of short twigs. The staminate strobili are three to seven
millimetres long, cylindrical or oblong, light green or rarely red. They become yellow
as pollen-shedding time approaches. Ovulate strobili at pollination stage are less than
six millimetres long, erect, greenish, and have 6–12 distichously arranged scales. At
maturity, they may be 15–25 mm long. The ovulate cones and their seeds ripen in the
second year, 15 to 18 months after pollination. Mature cones are not more than 30 mm
in diameter, woody or leathery. Male cones develop on one to two-years-old seedlings.
Female cones often develop on trees younger than 10 years, but collectable quantities
are not usually produced at such early age. Most cypresses have serotinous cones. C.
lustanica shed their seeds when the cones ripen. Seeds can be collected from March to
June (Cros et al. 1999; Johnson and Karrfalt 1996).

3
Adaptive Traits
C. lusitanica can adapt a range of agroecological zones. It performs well at mid
altitudes but when it extends to high altitudes, growth will be stunted. It is the best
adaptable species to rich, deep, moist, well aerated soils with neutral pH. However, its
rustic nature helps it to grow on poor, dry soils where other species do not grow (Cros
et al. 1999).

4
 Silvicultural Management

Propagation
C. lustanica can be propagated commonly by seed and rarely vegetatively.

Cone Collection
Mature cones are normally collected by hand, usually by cutting clusters of cones with
hand clippers. To ensure seed maturity, matured seeds cones from the previous season
or thoroughly darkened coat seeds from the current season should be collected.
Samples taken from Forestry Research Centre indicated that mature cones ranged
16.96–21.32 mm in diameter; they were 6–10 subovulate scales.

Extractions and Storage

C. lustanica cones release seeds when the cones are dried properly. Cones open when
dried and they required upto 15 days to dry (personal observation). Treatments to
speed up cone opening are not required. After drying, screening was made to separate
seeds from fruits. The estimated number of seeds/ kg was 163,252, with 98 % purity.
Number of seeds per cone ranged 50–127. The expected germination percentage
without treatments is not more than 60 % (personal observation).

C. lustanica seeds have orthodoxy nature for storage and maintain their viability well
at low temperature and moisture in storage. There were no long-term storage tests but
results elsewhere showed that seeds of seven species of cypress had retained good
viability during 10–20 years of storage at temperature of 1–5 oC. ISTA (1996)
recommends that stratifying cypress seeds for 21 days at 2–3 oC is important.

Nursery
Sowing is mostly done on polyethene tubes and seedbeds (Johnson and Karrfalt 1996).
Before sowing, it is prefered to soak seeds in water for two or three days. Sawing is
mostly done between November and December without soaking the seeds in water.
Seeds are hand sown. Due to low germination rate in nurseries, it is advisable to sow
four seeds in a polyethene bag. After sowing, the seedbeds or polyethene bags should
be covered with mulch. Then, watering should be done every morning and late
afternoon. Germination is expected after 20 days. When seedlings develop four
cotyledons, they should be pricked from seedbed to polyethene bags. To protect
5
germinantes from cold temperatures, direct sunlight, birds and insects, pots must be
put under shade, which should be raised 30–40 cm above the seedbed to have 30–50
% shade from direct sunlight until hardening. If seedlings are well-managed, they can
attain a height of about 30 cm at the time of outplanting.

6
 Establishing Plantation

Site Preparation
Site preparation involves bush clearing and pitting. Intensive soil preparation is
needed for degraded soils, high slopes and arid areas. When slopes are higher than 35
%, constructing terraces will be very essential (Tesfaye and Petty 1999).

Planting and Tending

Performance of trees was ected by initial planting distance and silvicultural practices
(Evans 1982, 1992). The recommended planting distances for this species were 2.5 m
x 2.5 m, 3 m x 2.5 m, 3 m x 2 m, 3.5 m x 2 m; but the most frequently used spacing at
Munesa Shashemen was 2.5 m x 2.5 m (1600 trees per hectare). Tending operations
like weeding, slahing, access prunning, low and high pruning, and thinning were
carried out.

This species may suffer weed competition in the first few years. Thus, using weed
control is recommended. The use of fire break is important to avoid the risk of
burning. Fire controls are usually performed manually between plantation lines, two or
three times in ten years.

Thinning was carried out as one of plantation management activities at Munesa. The
thinning operations were carried out in three occasions with 37.5 % intensity by stem
number at the age of 8, 13, and 19 (Tesfaye and Petty 1999). Even though rotation age
of C. lustanica is not yet determined in Ethiopian condition, the final harvest is usually
at the age of 25 years and above.

7
 Growth
and
Yield of Stand
Cupressus plantations establishment at Munesa Shashemene was started in the 1950's
around Sawmill in small-scale and continued in large scale during the 1960's and
subsequent years (Pukala and Pohjonen 1993). This plantation is found in Munesa,
Gambo, and Shasheme subareas where 25 permanent sample plots were established
and assessed to monitor growth rate of the species at different sites and age classes. To
develop site indexes and to avoid the risk of extrapolation, temporary sample plots
were included.

The age of the permanent plots ranged from 16.5 to 18 years. The altitudinal range
was from 1925 to 2600 m.

Table 1. Permanent Cupressus stand plot features

Sub areas Plot Location Area Altitude (m) Latitude Longitude.

(m2)
Munesa Dalele 400 2105 7028.04' 380 52.04'
Kuke 1200 2155-2181 70 .27.46' 380 51.69'
Shoba 1200 2200-2260 70 23.23' 380 51.59'
Borena 400 2160 70 23.82' 380 51.23'
Gambo Beseko 1600 2146-2156 70 19.5' 380 48.86'
Leye Lepis 800 2245 7018.56' 380 49.31'
Ashoka 400 2200 7017.62' 380 48.32'
Reji 800 2214-2275 7016.16' 380 46.88'
Boye 400 2203 7020.5' 380 50.3'
Keta Sertdo 800 2500-2600 70' 18.9' 380 51.45'
Shashemene Bojitu 800 2255-2360 7008.13' 380 40.05'
Wandere 400 2340 7008.21' 380 39.92'
Serebeke 400 2405 70 09.91' 380 43.63'
Wondogenet 400 1925 70 04.58' 380 38.38'
Note: All Cupresses stand plots have artificial origin, pure composition, and regular structure.

Site Index
Site index curve for Munesa Shashemene was developed using Schumacher's growth
equation (Ln Ho = Hmax. exp (b/AK)), which assumes that the logarithm of dominant
height is a linear function of reciprocal age (FAO 1980). Even though there have been
a number of models, the Schumacher's is the best model for this purpose (Tesfaye and
8
petty 1998; Pukala and Pohjonen 1993; Savill and Crockford 1991).The adopted base
age in developing the model was 15 years (Tesfaye and petty 1998). After non-linear
equation was fitted, the non-linear equation developed was Ln Ho = 3.5533-
7.9931/A1.07185, where Ln is the natural logarithm, Ho is the dominant height and A is
age of the stand. Based on the common intercept model, the family of the site index
curve was developed (fig.1). To estimate parameters for the full data set of permanent
sample plots, nested regression technique was used (FAO 1980).

Ln H0 =3.53358-7.99309/A1.07185 ( Average site index equation)

35

H12
30 H14
H16
H18
25 H20
H22
H24
20
H26

15

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1o 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Age

Fig. 1 Site index curve of Cupressus lusitanica

Site Classification
Based on the site index, the sites were classified using dominant height attained at
each site as an input parameter. Therefore, Beseko, Borena and Ashoka were site
index 25. Boye, Sirebake, and Leylepis were site index 23. Reji and Dalele were site
index 22. Shoba and Keta Serdo were site index 21. Wondo Genet was classified as
site index 20, and Kuke, Boye and Wondere were classified as site index 19.

9
Diameter-Height Relationships
at Different Age Classes
Measuring height is one of the difficult and time-consuming tasks in forest inventory.
Therefore, to make forest inventories and management plan preparations more
convenient, diameter and height relation of C. lusitanica was developed using
regression techniques. Three equations were tested for their fitness in the regression
process. Though most of them were proved well, the logarithmic function with the
highest coefficient of determination was selected. At last, by taking felled sample trees
in the forest, the equations were tested and showed good result. The diameter-height
curve equations for each site index at different ages are presented in Annexes 1-6.

Saw Log Length and Proportions

at Different Age Classes
Dispite the presence of numerous knots, C. lusitanica logs can be sawed easily (Cros
et al. 1999). Therefore, depending on its workability, a standing tree upto 12 cm of
the top height, regardless of branches, was used. The estimates of saw log length and
proportion against age class are presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Saw log length and proportion of different sites at different ages
Age Beseko Ashoka Ley lepis Reji
(year) Log log Log log Log log log log
length proportion length proportion length proportion length proportion
(m) (%) (m) (%) (m) (%) (m) (%)
7 2.7 19 2.9 22 5.4 49 - -
8 4.8 32 - - 6.1 44 1.4 11
9 5.1 32 5.7 34 6.6 55 - -
10 5.5 31 6.6 38 7.2 51 3.3 21
11 6.7 36 - - 7.7 42 3.9 24
12 7.3 40 8.2 43 7.9 51 - -
13 8.2 44 9.6 47 8.6 52 5.2 29
14 9.1 44 10.6 50 9.3 53 5.7 30
15 9.6 45 - - 9.6 54 6.2 31
16 10.8 48 9.9 45 10.1 57 - -
17 10.9 46 - - 10.4 57 6.6 32

Table 2- continued

10
 Age Sirebeke Wondo Genet Keta serdo Wandere
(year) Log log Log log Log log Log log
length proportion length proportion length proportion length proportion
(m) (%) (m) (%) (m) (%) (m) (%)
7 4.7 48 2.4 26 - - 3.4 31
8 - - - - 3.2 31 - -
9 5.7 45 4.8 35 - - 4.8 36
10 6.0 44 5.7 39 4.8 39 5.3 38
11 - - - - 5.5 39 - -
12 6.8 42 8.2 48 - - 6.2 40
13 7.2 41 8.9 50 6.5 40 6.7 41
14 7.4 39 10.0 52 7.0 40 7.0 40
15 - - - - 7.4 39 - -
16 7.7 38 10.6 54 - - 7.5 42
17 - - - - 7.7 39 6.6 32

Stand Parameters
An attempt was made to show the difference between existing stand and thinned stand
in volume production at Munesa Shasheme at different sites and ages. This was done
to show the variation of the planting date of this species at different sites. Therefore,
stand parameters attained at five centimeter diameter class interval under different site
conditions and ages were treated separately.

Stand Structure of Site Index 25

Beseko
Beseko plantation was established in 1986. Initial planting stalks were 1600 trees per
hectare. During permanent sample plot establishement, i.e, at the age of seven years,
there were 1175 trees per hactare. The plots were thinned once. The estimated yield at
the age of 18 was 484.41 m3ha-1. The mean annual increment was 26.9 m3ha-1 (Table
3). At this age, 43 % of the trees were concenterated within a diameter of 20–24.8 cm.
This indicates that the site has high productivity potential.

Table 3. Structure of Cupressuss lusitanica stand at Beseko at the age of 18

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class Standing Thinned Standing % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha (G) M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 - 75 1.3 1.3 0.3 0.1
10–14.9 13 213 0.2 0.4 1.4 18.0 19.4 4.0 1.1
15–19.9 275 37 6.6 15.5 65.9 8.7 74.6 15.4 4.1
20–24.9 488 13 19.0 44.8 192.2 5.1 197.3 40.7 10.9
25–29.9 162 - 9.6 22.6 107.9 - 107.9 22.3 6.0
30–34.9 86 - 7.1 16.7 83.9 - 83.9 17.3 4.7
Total 1024 338 42.5 100 451.3 33.1 484.4 100 26.9

11
Ashoka
Ashoka plantation was established in 1988. It was planted at a distance of 2.5 m x 2.5
m. At permanent sample plot establishment, i.e, eight years, there were 1200 trees per
hectare. The stand was thinned once. The total volume production and the mean
annual increment at the age of 16 were 441.76 m3ha-1and 27.61 m3ha-1, respectively
(Table 4). Formerly, the site was farm land, and this helped to get high production.
Table 4. Structure of Cupressuss lusitanica stand at Ashoka at the age of 16

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
(cm) Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
10–14.9 50 100 0.7 1.7 4..6 7.3 11.9 0.1 0.7
15–19.9 400 75 9.5 24.5 88.5 14.5 102.9 23.3 5.7
20–24.9 300 25 12.8 32.9 140.6 9.3 149.8 33.9 7.6
25–29.9 200 - 11.8 30.3 131.8 - 131.8 29.8 5.6
30–34.9 50 - 4.1 10.6 45.2 - 45.2 10.2 2.5
Total 1000 200 38.9 100 410.7 31.1 441.6 97.3 22.1

Borena
The stand at Borena was planted in 1986 with 2.5 m × 2.5 m planting distance. The
stalking during permanent plot establishement was 700 trees per hectare. The stand
was highly thinned. The total volume production at the age of 18 was 492.29 m3 ha-1.
Mean annual increment was 27.34 m3ha-1 (Table 5). Fifty-two percent of the trees
were within diameter class interval of 20–24.9 cm.

Table 5. Structure of Cupressuss lusitanica stand at Borena at the age of 18 years

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
15–19.9 100 165 2.4 7.6 20.7 28.6 49.3 10.1 2.7
20–24.9 350 318 13.8 44.2 156.8 82.8 239.7 48.6 13.3
25–29.9 150 - 8.8 28.3 118.7 - 118.7 24.1 6.6
30–34.9 75 - 6.2 19.8 84.6 - 84.6 17.2 4.7
Total 675 483 31.2 99.9 380.8 111.4 492.3 100 27.3

Stand Structure of Site Index 23

Boye
Boye stand was established in 1988.The planting distance was 2.5 m × 2.5 m. The
stalking during permanent plot establishement was 1375 trees per hectare. Thinning
was not made except some encroachments by people living around. But the trees
cleared by dwellers were low in diameter. Therefore, cleared trees did not bring big
difference on the total volume production. The total volume production was 380.65
m3ha-1 and the mean annual increment was 23.79m3ha-1 per year (Table 6).

12
Table 6. Structure of Cupressuss lusitanica stand at Boye at the age of 16

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval (cm) Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 125 - - 1.05 1.1 0.5 0.1
10–14.9 125 1.5 3.7 13.3 - 13.3 2.7 0.8
15–19.9 475 11.4 27.7 106.6 - 106.6 27.4 6.7
20–24.9 525 20.8 50.6 184.5 - 184.5 50.8 11.5
25–29.9 125 7.4 18.0 72.5 - 72.5 18.6 4.5
Total 1250 125 41.1 100 379.60376 1.05 378 100 23.6
.9
Liye Lepis
The plantation at Liye Lepis was established in 1987 with 2.5 m × 2.5 m spacing. The
stalking was 1225 trees per hectare at the time of permanent plot establishment. The
stand was not thinned except dwellers’ encroachment. The total volume estimate at the
age of 17 was 405.37 m3 ha-1. The mean annual increment was 23.84 m3 ha-1 (Table 7).

Table 7. Structure of Cupressus lusitanica stand at Leye Lepis at the age of 17

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 25 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.1
10–14.9 88 175 1.1 2.8 9.7 19.3 28.9 7.1 1.7
15–19.9 363 - 8.7 23.3 123.8 - 123.8 30.6 7.3
20–24.9 362 - 14.3 38.2 186.9 - 186.9 46.1 11.2
25–29.9 175 - 10.4 27.6 21.5 - 34.5 8.5 2.1
30–34.9 37 - 3.1 8.1 43.3 - 30.6 7.6 1.8
Total 1025 200 37.6 100 385.2 19.8 405.2 100 24.2

Serebeke
Plantation of Serebeke was established in 1988. It was planted with a distance of 2.5m
× 2.5m. The stalking at the time of permanent plot establishment was 1450 trees per
hectare. Thinning was not carried out except dweller encroachements or dead trees.
The total volume production at the age of 16 and the mean annual increment were
406.4 m3 ha-1 and 25.4 m3 ha-1, respectively.

Table 8. Structure of Cupressus lusitanica stand at Serebeke at the age of 16

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval Standing Thinned Standing(G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 175 - - - 3.4 3.4 0.8 0.2
10–14.9 50 - 0.6 1.3 4.9 - 4.9 1.2 0.3
15–19.9 400 - 9.6 21.1 80.3 - 80.1 19.7 5.0
20–24.9 525 - 20.8 45.7 187.9 - 187.9 46.2 11.7
25–29.9 175 - 10.4 22.8 93.8 - 93.8 23.2 5.8
30–34.9 50 - 4.1 9.1 36.2 - 36.2 8.9 2.3
Total 1200 - 45.5 100 403.1 - 406.3 100 25.4

13
Stand Structure of Site index 22
Reji
Reji plantation was established in 1987 with 2.5 m × 2.5 m distance. The stalking was
1225 trees per hectare at the time of permanent plot establishment. The stand was
thinned once. The total volume production at the age of 17 was 389.44 m3 ha-1 and the
mean annual increment was 22.91 m3 ha-1 (Table 9).

Table 9. Structure of Cupressuss lusitanica stand at Reji at the age of 17

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total %) M3/ha/y
interval N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
(cm)
5–9.9 - 50 - - 1.2 1.21 0.1 0.0
10–14.9 75 38 0.9 2.3 6.9 3.5 10.37 2.8 0.6
15–19.9 350 25 8.4 21.2 72.6 5.2 77.81 19.9 4.6
20–24.9 337 13 13.3 33.8 125.9 4.8 130.72 33.7 7.7
25–29.9 250 - 14.8 37.5 147.8 - 147.80 37.9 8.7
30–34.9 25 - 2.1 5.2 21.5 - 21.53 5.6 1.3
Total 1037 126 39.5 100 374.7 13.7 389.44 100 22.9

Dalele
Dalel plantation was setup in1988. The planting distance was 2 m × 2 m. The stalking
during permanent plot establishment was 2300 trees per hectare. The plot was not
thinned.The total volume production at the age of 16 was 357.81 m3 ha-1. The mean
annual increment was 22.36 m3 ha-1 (Table 11). More trees were found within lower
diameter class intervals because of high stalking.

Table 10. Structure of Cupressus lusitanica stand at Dalele at the age of 16

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 225 125 - 2.4 3.6 6.1 0.9 0.4
10–14.9 875 - 10.6 25.27 100.8 - 100.8 27.2 6.3
15–19.9 800 - 19.1 38.28 146.0 - 146.0 42.9 9.1
20–24.9 275 - 10.9 25.86 94.2 - 94.2 25.4 5.8
25–29.9 25 - 1.5 3.49 13.2 - 13.2 3.6 0.8
Total 2200 125 42.1 100 356.6 3.6 360.3 100 22.4

Stand Structure Site Index 21

Shoba
Shoba stand was planted in 1987 with 2.5 m × 2.5 m spacing. The stalking was 1025
trees/ha. The plots were thinned once. Yield of removed trees was included in the total
14
yield estimate of this stand. The yield of this stand at the age of 17 was estimated to be
359.88 m3 ha-1. The mean annual increment was 21.16 m3 ha-1 (Table 11).

Table 11. Structure of Cupressuss lusitanica stand at Shoba at the age of 17

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standin Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha g M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 - 114 - - - 2.9 2.9 0.8 0.2
10–14.9 92 65 1.1 3.2 8.7 5.8 14.6 4.1 0.8
15–19.9 342 63 8.2 22.9 72.8 12.7 85.5 22.7 5.0
20–24.9 342 - 13.5 37.9 134.7 - 134.7 37.4 7.9
25–29.9 158 - 9.4 26.3 97.2 - 97.2 25.0 5.7
30–34.9 42 - 3.5 9.7 36.8 - 36.8 10.0 2.2
Total 942 242 35.7 100 350.2 21.4 371.7 100 21.8

Keta Serdo
Keta Serdo was planted in 1987 with a distance of 2.5 m × 2.5 m. The stalking was
1375 trees per hectare at the time of permanent sample plot establishment. The
number of trees reduced due to mortality. The yield at the age of 17 was 361.41 m3 ha-
1
. The mean annual increment was 21.26 m3 ha-1 (Table 12).

Table 12. Structure of Cupressus lusitanica stand at Keta Serdo at the age of 17

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
inteval Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 - - - - - - - - -
10–14.9 199 - 2.29 5.7 19.7 - 19.7 5.5 1.2
15–19.9 362 - 8.65 21.4 74.8 - 74.8 20.7 4.4
20–24.9 525 - 19.78 48.9 179.6 - 179.6 49.7 10.6
25–29.9 112 - 6.62 16.4 60.7 - 60.7 17.0 3.6
30–34.9 37 - 3.05 7.6 28.5 - 28.5 7.1 1.7
Total 1237 - 40 100 363.3 - 363.3 100 21.5

Stand Structure of Site Index 20

Wondo Genet
The plantation at Wondo Genet was established in 1988. The initial stalking was 1625
trees per hectare. The number of trees per plot reduced due to high encroachment.
Volume production at the age of 16 was 324.14 m3 ha-1. The average annual increment
was 20.25m3 ha-1 (Table 13)

15
Table 13. Structure of Cupressus lusitanica stand atWond Genet at the age of 16

Diameter Stem Basal area MAI

class intrval Volume
(cm) Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 - 275 - - - 7.6 7.6 2.2 0.5
10–14.9 50 250 0.6 1.7 4.6 23.0 27.6 7.8 1.7
15–19.9 325 - 7.7 22.1 63.8 - 63.8 18.0 4.0
20–24.9 400 - 15.8 45.1 123.4 - 123.4 43.6 7.7
25–29.9 150 - 8.8 25.2 79.6 - 79.6 22.8 4.9
30–34.9 25 - 2.1 5.9 19.0 - 19.0 5.6 1.2
Total 975 525 35 100 290.4 33.6 321 100 20

Stand Structure Site Index 19

Kuke
The plantation was established in 1986. The planting distance was 2.5 m × 2.5 m. The
intial stalking was 1250 trees per hectare. The stand was thinned once. Volume
production at the age of 18 was 334.95m3 ha-1. The mean annual increment was
18.61m3 ha-1 (Table 14).

Table 14. Structure of Cupressus lusitanica stand at Kuke at the age of 18

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 - 138 - 2.8 2.8 0.8 0.2
10–14.9 16 63 0.2 0.5 1.5 4.3 5.8 1.7 0.2
15–19.9 590 13 14.1 34.2 107.5 1.9 109.4 32.7 6.1
20–24.9 561 - 22.2 53.8 172.1 - 172.1 51.4 9.6
25–29.9 58 - 3.4 8.3 32.0 - 32.0 9.6 1.8
30–34.9 16 - 1.3 3.2 12.7 - 12.7 3.8 0.7
Total 1241 214 41.2 100 325.8 9.0 334.8 100 18.6

Bojitu and Wandare

Both plantations were setup in1986. The planting distance was 2.5m × 2.5 m.The
initial stalking was 1425 trees per hectare. Most of the trees reduced due to mortality
from suppresion. Volume production at the age of 16 was 261.08 m3 ha-1. The mean
annual production was 16.32 m3 ha-1 (Table 15).

Growth of C. lusitanica at Munesa Shashemene was monitored based on permanent

sample plots. Moreover, preliminary survey was done to identify the extent and age
distribution of C. lusitanica plantation and site variability. However, in all sites, young
plantations with less than seven years age of establishment were not found. Therefore,
25 permanent sample plots that possibly cover the range of site variability were
established in eight sites in 1994 and 1998. The number of permanent sample plots
established in each site ranged from one to four. Age distribution of plantations varied

16
from 7 to 10 years. Elevations of the plots also varied from 1925 to 2600 m.

Assessments were made in a rectangular sample plot with an area of 0.04 ha. Trees
within this sample plot were counted and the data was checked every year against the
previous data collected. This increases the reliability and precision of the collected
data. Maximum time interval between two measurements was two years.

Generally volume of trees was calculated using Orlander's (1986) equation (Lnv = -
3.2161+ 1.8096Ln (d) + 1.1492 Ln(h)). The site classification ranged from 25 to 19.
The production potential estimated for all sites except Bojitu and wandare was more
than that of site index one reported by Pukala (1993).

Table 15. Structure of Cupressus lusitanica stand at Bojitu and Wandare at the age of 16

Diameter Stem Basal area Volume MAI

class
interval Standing Thinned Standing (G) % Standing Thinned Total % M3/ha/y
(cm) N/ha N/ha M2/ha M3/ha M3/ha M3/ha
5–9.9 - 75 1.5 1.5 0.6 0.1
10–14.9 175 - 2.1 4.9 12.9 - 12.9 4.9 0.8
15–19.9 375 - 8.9 21.0 61.2 - 61.2 21.5 3.8
20–24.9 575 - 22.7 53.3 166.9 - 166.9 60.7 10.4
25–29.9 150 - 8.8 20.8 55.5 - 55.5 12.3 3.5
Total 1250 75 42.5 100 296.5 1.5 298 100 18.6

17
 Wood Property
and
Utilization

Physical Properties
Thouhgh the properties of wood were not fully assessed, the qualities of few tested
trees varied with age, location (partly), and treatment of stand. Sapwood is different
from the yellowsh-brown heart wood, which is about 50 mm to 100 mm wide. When
dried, it will have a slight cedar-like odor. Its grain is usually straight and its texture is
fine and fairly even (WUARC 1995)

Density is one of the fundamental properties of wood. The two most common density
indicators are density at 12 % wood moisture content (D12) and basic density (ID).
Studies in Ethiopia showed that the average wood density at 12 % moisture content
was 0.43 g cm-3 . This is within the average wood density class interval of conifer
(WUARC 1995). Tree density did not appear to correlate with ring width. This makes
very young wood remain dense, despite large ring widths. But density of older wood
tend to decrease with increasing ring width.

C. lusitanica showed low shrinkage and low variations between tangential and radial
shrinkages. Since low sensitivity to variations in moisture content is an important
criterion for many uses, it is advantageous (Cross et al. 1999). The tangential, radial,
and volumetric shrinkages for Cupressus in Ethiopia are 1.36 %, 0.52 % and 9.93 %,
respectively (WUARC 1995).

Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties of Cupressus was studied by WURC. These studies were based
on 12 % moisture content of wood. The main charecteristics measured were bending
strength ((MOR) 64 N/mm2), modulus of elasticity (6145 N/mm2), work to maximum
load (0.0668mmN/mm3), work to total fracture (0.0908mmN/mm3), compression
parellal to the grain (33N/mm ), impact resistance (5888 Nm/ m2), and side hardness
2

( 2761 N).

Seasoning
Drying was very rapid with little or no splitting or surface checking. Distortion was
slight, apart from moderate twist in thick sizes.
18
Durability
C. lusitanica has long been known as a very durable wood. It is also considered as a
plant resistant to any possible attack. Laboratory tests performed with fungi and
termites revealed that the heart wood of this species is often in the highest class
interval in durability. However, the sapwood is not durable. Cypress’ natural
durability along with its distinctive smell is due to the presence of tropolones, which
help it to resist termites naturally. Cupressus heart's wood intrinsic make it a valuable
species for several greatly demanded features: fine grain, good surface hardness, low
shrinkage, and shrinkage anisothropy, and excellent natural durability.

Technology
Despite the presence of numerous knots, logs are easily sawn in the intitial processing.
Lack of hardened resin explains the tree’s low abrrasiveness. Except spiral grain of C.
lusitanica, drying is generally easy. Peeling tests performed in laboratory and in
industries elsewhere have shown that it is not necessary to rewet heart wood. Peeling
can be done at room temperature. Cupressus can be peeled and sliced easily in a
variety of thicknesses: 0.3mm to 3 mm. Significant spiral grain is a drawback to
peeling operations and during veneer handling due to spliting. Large knots in C.
lusitanica are less adherent and often split during drying. Pulp trials with C. lusitanica
were succesful. Pulp yield and main paper indexes were similar with pine but showed
lower tearing strength. C. lustanica's wood burns well and has a calorific potential of
more than 19,000 kj kg-1 of dry matter and residue volume of about 4 %.

Secondary Processing: Whatever machining technique is used (planning, miling,

drilling, sanding), cypress is an easy wood, except for the usual problems of spiral
grain or knots. It is well adapted to machining and finishing despite its high number of
knots due to its fine grain, homogeneity and low shrinkage, which does not affect the
highly adherent knots. Gluing with any of the various industrial glues brings no
particular problems, nor does finishing with varnish, paint, etc.

Wood Utilization
The wood has the following uses: fuelwood, roundwood, transmission poles, posts,
sawn or hewn building timbers, heavy construction, beams, light construction,
carpentry/joinery, flooring, shingles, exterior fittings, fences, gates, woodware,
pencils, furniture, veneers, boats, wood based materials, plywood, particleboard,
pulp, and short fibre pulp. Moreover, the species is used for establishing hedges,
windbreaks, and land reclamations. It is also a beautiful tree and is widely used as
ornament (Web et al. 1984).

19
 Liablity
to
Pests and Diseases

Insects
Cinara cupressi is Homoptera that feeds on the phloem of trees. It is one of the most
destructive pests that can be found all over the world on cypress, with special
incidence in East Africa. To control the pest, it is recommended to apply contact or
systemic insecticide in the beginning of colonization of trees. Aphid and scale are
insects currently observed on cypress plantations and hedges. Therefore, there is an
urgent need to take preventive measures before the plantations are wiped out.

Pathogens
Fungi are the most difficult organisms that cause diseases on C. lusitanica. Seiridium
cardinale, Seiridium cupressi and Seiridium unicorne are also usually associated with
Cupressus. There are several ways to control them, e.g., cutting and burning dead or
diseased trees, removing infected leaves or branches, and treating with fungicide
chemicals. However, the most economical way to control these diseases is the use of
resistant plants.

Armillaria mellea is one of the most destructive fungi that provokes root rot in many
cypress species. In the Mediterranean region, A. mellea rarely attacks forest trees. This
fungus is more frequent and has negative impact on ornamental hedges, windbreaks
and gardens, especially in places where the trees grow quite close to each other. Stress
factors, such as cold, drought, or flood make trees vulnerable to the fungus. Prevention
of this disease is very difficult as the fungus can frequently be found in the soil, in
timber residues, and in large range of hosts. The most efficient way to protect trees is
to promote their vigour by reducing stress and eliminating infected roots and stumps.

20
 Diameter-height curve equations for each site index at different ages

Annex 1. Site index 25

Age Equation (model) Coefficient of

determination
Beseko 1
8 H = 2.7325ln(d) +7.2688 R2= 0.99
9 H = 5.2715ln(d)+ 1.0055 R2= 0.98
11 H = 5.3613ln(d)+ 2.7825 R2= 0.98
12 H = 6.0946ln(d)+ 0.8529 R2= 0.98
14 H = 8.3238ln(d) - 4.4086 R2= 0.99
15 H = 7.5811ln(d) - 1.7458 R2= 0.99
16 H = 8.2269ln(d) - 2.9966 R2= 0.99
18 H= 9.2835ln(d) -5.139 R2= 0.99
Beseko 2
7 H = 5.1887ln(d) - 1.4209 R2= 0.97
9 H = 3.9376ln(d) + 3.9319 R2= 0.96
10 H = 5.0116ln(d) + 1.5311 R2= 0.97
12 H = 5.2767ln(d) + 1.8629 R2= 0.97
13 H = 6.0619ln(d) + 0.3673 R2= 0.97
14 H = 6.6555ln(d) - 0.7156 R2= 0.98
16 H= 6.4662ln(d) + 0.4159 R2= 0.98
Borena
12 H = 3.626ln(d) + 7.3659 R2= 0.98
14 H = 2.335ln(d) + 13.628 R2= 0.98
15 H = 2.4303ln(d) + 14.111 R2= 0.98
16 H = 4.7382ln(d) + 8.341 R2= 0.98
18 H = 8.1148ln(d) - 1.8385 R2 = 0.99
Ashoka
7 H = 5.9994ln(d) - 3.1066 R2= 0.98
9 H = 7.1354ln(d) - 3.9637 R2= 0.99
10 H = 10.278ln(d) - 12.923 R2= 0.98
12 H = 8.5565ln(d) - 6.3859 R2= 0.98
13 H = 9.0428ln(d) - 7.0324 R2= 0.98
14 H = 9.051ln(d) - 7.0236 R2= 0.98
16 H= 9.0567ln(d) -5.9119 R2= 0.98

21
Annex 2. Site index 23
Age Index equation (model) Coefficient of
determination
Boye
7 H = 4.3873ln(d) - 0.0119 R2= 0.96
9 H = 5.9229ln(d) -1.932 R2= 0.97
10 H = 3.6577ln(d) + 5.3207 R2=0.96
12 H = 5.3531ln(d)+ 1.4929 R2= 0.99
13 H =6.108ln(d) + 0.223 R2= 0.99
14 H = 6.4839ln(d) + 0.238 R2= 0.99
16 H = 5.9259ln(d) + 3.0128 R2= 0.99
Sire Bake
7 H = 3.247ln(d) + 1.1712 R2= 0.97
9 H = 4.7567ln(d) - 0.5988 R2= 0.96
10 H = 5.2643ln(d) - 1.4209 R2= 0.96
12 H = 3.0949ln(d) + 7.3846 R2= 0.99
13 H = 4.2054ln(d) + 4.9336 R2= 0.99
14 H = 4.4934ln(d) + 5.4776 R2= 0.98
16 H = 4.2264ln(d) + 7.3908 R2= 0.99
Liye Lepis
7 H = 5.1528ln(d) - 2.6317 R2= 0.98
8 H = 6.8735ln(d) - 4.9592 R2= 0.97
10 H = 7.8462ln(d) - 4.989 R2= 0.96
11 H = 6.7595ln(d) - 1.125 R2= 0.99
13 H = 7.3113ln(d) - 2.0967 R2= 0.99
14 H = 4.4927ln(d) + 7.1843 R2= 0.99
15 H = 6.927ln(d) + 0.3744 R2= 0.99
17 H = 7.3073ln(d) + 0.293 R2= 0.98

Annex 3. Site index 22

Age Index equation (model) Coefficient of

determination
Reji
8 H =5.5676ln(d) - 2.6892 R2= 0.98
10 H = 5.7891ln(d) - 0.6215 R2= 0.99
11 H = 6.438ln(d) - 2.3689 R2=0.99
13 H = 7.2189ln(d) - 3.3269 R2= 0.97
14 H = 6.512ln(d) - 0.5049 R2= 0.98
15 H = 7.844ln(d) - 3.9706 R2= 0.98
17 H = 9.114ln(d) – 7.1697 R2 = 0.98
Dalele
10 H = 3.324ln(d) + 1.9822 R2= 0.97
12 H = 3.9199ln(d) + 3.4946 R2= 0.97
13 H = 3.9492ln(d) + 4.4495 R2= 0.97
14 H = 4.5554ln(d) + 4.2852 R2= 0.97
16 H = 6.0019ln(d) + 0.9794, R2= 0.98

22
 Annex 4. Site index21

Index equation (model) Coefficient of

determination
Shoba
11 H = 8.2872ln(d) - 8.1285, R2= 0.98
13 H = 7.493ln(d) - 4.1966, R2= 0.98
14 H = 7.733ln(d) - 3.9725, R2= 0.99
15 H = 7.9009ln(d) - 3.4762, R2= 0.98
17 H= 9.0466ln(d) -6.5436 R2= 0.98
Keta Sardo
8 H = 4.5434ln(d) - 1.7813, R2= 0.97
10 H= 4.5ln(d) - 0.1416 , R2= 0.95
11 H = 4.9729ln(d) + 0.1026 R2= 0.95
13 H = 3.7652ln(d) + 5.2756 R2= 0.95
14 H = 5.5236ln(d) + 1.1029 R2= 0.97
15 H = 4.8452ln(d) + 3.8697 R2= 0.98
17 H= 5.5803ln(d) + 2.8662 R2= 0.98

Annex 5. Site index 20

Age Index equation (model) Coefficient of

determination
Wondo Genet
7 H = 2.9628ln(d) + 1.7293 R2= 0.97
9 H = 2.2288ln(d) + 7.79 R2= 0.87
10 H = 4.219ln(d) + 2.8669 R2= 0.98
12 H = 7.2872ln(d) - 4.2318 R2= 0.98
13 H = 5.1882ln(d) + 2.4712 R2= 0.98
14 H = 5.5748ln(d) + 2.1917 R2= 0.98
16 H= 6.4769ln(d) - 0.4965 R2= 0.98

23
Annex 6. Site index 19

Age Index equation (model) Coefficient of

determination
Kuke
12 H = 5.139ln(d) - 0.6711 R2= 0.97
14 H = 5.457ln(d) + 0.1194 R2= 0.98
15 H = 5.2698ln(d) + 1.6852 R2= 0.98
16 H = 5.7994ln(d) + 1.222 R2= 0.98
18 H = 7.3738ln(d) - 2.7239 R2= 0.98
Bojitu
12 H = 4.4133ln(d) + 0.522 R2= 0.98
14 H =4.6831ln(d) + 1.1126 R2= 0.98
15 H = 6.7117ln(d) - 3.8575 R2= 0.98
17 H = 5.5126ln(d) + 1.6597 R2= 0.99
18 H = 5.4779ln(d) + 2.1013 R2= 0.99
19 H = 6.5242ln(d) - 0.1413 R2= 0.99
21 H = 4.2264ln(d) + 7.3908 R2= 0.98
Wandere
7 H = 3.9279ln(d) + 0.3411 R2= 0.97
9 H = 3.766ln(d) + 2.7853 R2= 0.98
10 H = 3.731ln(d) + 3.303 R2= 0.98
12 H = 4.6431ln(d) + 1.9321 R2= 0.98
13 H = 4.4684ln(d) + 3.1492 R2= 0.98
14 H = 673ln(d) + 2.3099 R2= 0.98
16 H= 5.0213ln(d) + 2.6957 R2= 0.99
Where H = height, d= diameter at breast height over bark, in =
natural logarithm to the base e

24
References
Albrecht J. 1993. Forest seed handling. In: Tropical Forestry Handbook. Springler
verlag, Berlin, Heidelbera.
Burley J. and Wood P. J. 1976. A manual on species and provenance research with
particular reference to the tropics. Tropical Forestry Paper, no.10, Tanzania
Chaffy D B. 1978. Southwest Ethiopia forest inventory project: An inventory of forest
at Munesa and Shashemene. Land Resource Division, To/worth tower, England.
Cros D.T.E., Ducrey M, Barthelemy D., Pichot C., Giannini R., Raddi P., Roques
A., Salesluis J., Thibaut B. 1999. Cypress : A practical hand book. Studio Leonardo,
Florence, Italy
Evans J. 1982. Plantation forestry in the tropics. New York: Oxford University press.
––––––. 1992. Plantation forestry in the tropics. 2 nd edition. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). 1980. Forest volume estimation and yield
prediction: Yield prediction. FAO Forestry Paper 2:45–67
Johnson LeRoy. C. and Karrfalt R. P. 1996. Cupressus lustanica: Cupressaceae Cyprus
family. USDA Forest Services National Tree Seed Laboratory. Dry branch, Georgia.
ISTA. 1996. International rules for seed testing. Seed science and technology,
Supplement. International Seed Testing Association 24, Zurich.
Lungren L B. 1971. Soil studies in a montane forest. Research notes, Department of
Forest Ecology and Forest Soils, Royal College of Forestry. Stalkholm, Sweden.
Negash Mamo, Berahane Habte and Dawit Beyan. 1995. Growth and form factor of
some indigenous and exotic tree species in Ethiopia. Forestry Research Center,
Addis Ababa.
Orander G. 1986. A volume table for Ethiopia Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula, E.
camaldulensis, E. globulus, E. grandis and E. saligna. Swed.Univ. of Agr. Sci. Dep. Of
Silviculture. Umea, Sweden.
Pukkala T and Pohjonen V. 1993. Yield of C. lusitanica in Ethiopia. East African Agri.
and For. J. 1(59): 51-73
Savill P.S. and Crockford K. J. 1991. Preliminary yield tables for oak coppice. In: Petty
and Smith (eds), The Journal of Institute of Chartered Foresters 64(1): 29–50
Tesfaye Teshome and Petty J.A. 1999. Site index equation for Cupressus lusitanica
stands in Munesaa forest. Forest Ecology and Management 126:339–397
Web D.B., Wood P.J., Smith J.P. and Henman G. S. 1984. A Guide to species selection
for tropical and sub-tropical plantations. Tropical Forestry Paper, no.15. 2nd
edition, Unit of Tropical Silviculture, Common Wealth Forestry Institute,
University of Oxford.
Wood Utilization and Research Centre (WUARC). 1995. Commercial timbers of
ethiopi. Research report. Technical bulletin no. 2, (revised and enlarged edition).
Ministry of Natural Resources Development and Environmental Protection, Addis
Ababa
Yeshanew Ashagrie and Wolfgang Z. 2003. Changes in soil organic carbon, nitrogen
and sulphur stalks due to conversion of natural forest into tree plantations (Pinus
patula, Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus globules) at Munesa, Paper presented at
Symposium, 14 October, Wondo Genet.

25
Acknowledgements

The information included in this research is a contribution o f researchers and

technicians in data collection since the establishment of the growth and yield study.
Further information was also incorporated based on experience and literatures
reviewed. The help of data collectors, Ato Belhatu Diraro, and others who helped us in
compiling this research are gratefully acknowledged.

26