Observations on the rooting patterns of some agroforestry trees in an arid region of north-western India

The present study deals with root architecture of 6-year-old trees of 9 indigenous and 3 exotic species growing in arid climate of north-western India. Observations, made on excavated root systems (3 tree replicates of each species) showed large variation in horizontal and vertical spread of roots. In Morus alba, Melia azedarach and Populus deltoides, the roots were confined to 80 cm, while in Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica and Eucalyptus tereticornis, roots penetrated more deeply to 233 cm. The number of total roots ranged from 103 in Acacia catechu to 1932 in Eucalyptus tereticornis, and 62 to 80% of the roots were less than 2 mm in diameter. The primary roots were more horizontal than the secondary roots. The total root biomass varied from 2.2 kg in Acacia catechu to 30.6 kg^–1 tree in Populus deltoides, and top 30 cm soil contained 42 to 78% of the total biomass. The implications of the results are discussed in the context of the ecological niche of the species, and its usefulness in agroforestry systems.     

Households’ Choices of Fuelwood Sources: Implications for Agroforestry Interventions in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Fuelwood is the main source of energy for various household uses in many developing countries; and management of tree resources where it is obtained can be best undertaken when household choice patterns are understood. In this paper, households’ decision to obtain fuelwood for domestic consumption as influenced by household and fuelwood source characteristics is analyzed using a multinomial probit regression model. Data is obtained from 254 randomly selected household drawn from Mbarali district, south-western Tanzania. Results indicate that households are heavily dependent on natural forests for household energy provision and that the choice to obtain fuelwood from the forest, farm or market depends, among other factors on the availability of preferred fuelwood tree species at these sources. Acacia tortilis, Brachystegia spp. and Faidherbia albida are the significantly preferred tree species and hence affect the decision of where to obtain fuelwood. This revelation highlights the pressure applied to surrounding forests as well as to the aforementioned tree species which require immediate management interventions. The gender of the household head and whether the household lives in peri-urban or rural areas also influence choice of fuelwood source. Promotion of tree planting and on-farm management of tree species similar to preferred species found in natural forests is recommended. To the extent that consumer preferences are likely to change over time, further research using panel datasets is necessary to unravel inter-temporal preferences for fuelwood sources.     

Seedling indices of four tree species in nursery and their correlations with field growth in Tamil Nadu, India

Selection of quality seedlings in nursery is important for raising fast-growing trees for production of fuelwood and other products. In order to identify the morphophysiological variables that can be used in nursery for selection purpose, a study on growth, drymatter production, and rate of photosynthesis was undertaken with seedlings of four tree species, viz, Acacia nilotica, Albizzia lebbeck, Dalbergia sissoo and Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The species varied significantly in growth, drymatter production and photosynthetic rate in nursery. E. camaldulensis was the fastest in growth and A. nilotica had maximum number of leaves. Total drymatter production was maximum in D. sissoo followed by A. lebbeck. The rate of photosynthesis was maximum in D. sissoo followed by A. nilotica and lowest in A. lebbeck. Among the various seedling attributes, height, number of leaves per plant, rootweight and photosynthetic rate exhibited significant correlations with seedling drymatter. Seedling diameter showed weak positive correlations with drymatter of both seedlings as well as two-year old field trees. However, number of leaves per plant, rootweight, shootweight and leafweight showed significant correlations with two-year field tree drymatter, the strongest correlation (r = 0.96, P = 0.001) was found between number of leaves per plant and field tree drymatter. Although plant height and leaf photosynthetic rate showed a positive correlation with two-year field growth, the relationship was statistically non-significant. The study reveals that maximum value for leaf number and dryweight of seedling components such as root, shoot and leaf can be used as criteria for selecting nursery stocks for field planting in semiarid conditions.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Planning and Policy Issues in Small-scale Forestry Development in Southern Aragua State,Venezuela

In southern Aragua state, Venezuela—an area regarded as high priority for local and national development—important sources of income and traditions are related to a history of manufacturing wood products including furniture and woodcraft made of the native tree species Samanea saman. However, scarcity of wood has recently become a major constraint for people of Magdaleno, putting at risk traditional knowledge and employment opportunities. Based on an integrated approach taking into account biophysical, ecological, social and technological issues, a broad group of potential tree species were assessed in a landscape-scale analysis to promote a plantation project. Analysis of policy implications is made in the context of national legislation, socio-economic, institutional and environmental issues. The role of research and communication to improve decision-making processes at all scales are also examined. At least three wood species (Samanea saman, Acacia mangium and Gmelina arborea) with a total of 37 sites and an aggregate area of approximately 26,600 ha (266 km²), were found to be potentially able to sustain a local development initiative for all five municipalities located in southern Aragua state. In terms of implementation, small-scale forestry (SSF) is viewed as a new policy shift for forest management according to the new national forest legislation where local development is a central element. SSF faces several constraints and faces a wide variety of political issues. Critical among these issues are: (a) how SSF approaches deal with legislation and land tenure regulations; (b) the creation of community-based forest enterprises based on simplified management plans, (c) a broad assessment of potential ecosystem services delivered by forest plantations; and (d) improving communication of research for decision-making. Decentralization and institutional strengthening are identified as two basic conditions for pursuing sustainable management.     

Pioneer tree responses to variation of soil attributes in a tropical semi-deciduous forest in Brazil

The occurrence of pioneer tree species inside tropical forests is usually associated with canopy openness due to disturbances. The distribution of these species under different environmental conditions, aside from light presence, can be influenced by other variables such as soil attributes, water availability, and non-arborous species presence. This work evaluates pioneer tree distribution in the Pindorama Biological Reserve, Brazil, with respect to altitude, soil attributes, and non-arborous species in 65,400-m² plots in two toposequences of semi-deciduous forest. We evaluated the physical and chemical soil attributes altitude, basal area, height, and number of individuals of tree species with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥5 cm in a randomly chosen quadrant in each plot. Pioneer trees were characterized by the following higher occurrence species: Acacia polyphylla, Aloysia virgata, Casearia sylvestris, and Croton floribundus. Cluster analysis suggested five similar groups among sampling plots. For each group, the mean of altitude, physical and chemical soil attributes, and degree of non-arborous species infestation was calculated. Principal components analysis correlated variables with pioneer tree data. C. floribundus occurred at low altitudes at lower or higher fertility, C. sylvestris occurred in lower fertility plots, and A. polyphylla and A. virgata occurred in higher altitude plots.     

Management of fungal root‐rot pathogens in tropical Acacia mangium plantations

Acacia mangium is a fast‐growing tree species. It is mainly planted in large monocultures for pulpwood in South‐East Asia. Root rot has become the most economically damaging disease of this species with high tree mortality rates observed during second and third rotations. Two main types of root rots have been found in A. mangium, viz. brown root‐rot and red‐root disease caused by Phellinus spp. and Ganoderma spp., respectively. To assess the future management options for root rot of A. mangium, we review past and current disease‐management strategies for root rot in different temperate and tropical industrial tree crops. The efficacies of a wide range of silvicultural, chemical and biological options are detailed, and their potential utilization in managing root rot of A. mangium is discussed. We conclude that the current gaps in knowledge regarding identification, biology and disease epidemiology of the root‐rot pathogens will need to be addressed so that effective management options can be developed.     

Dehydrogenase activity and VAM fungi in tree-rhizosphere of agroforestry systems in Indian arid zone

Biological activity in tree rhizosphere and association of VAM fungi with tree-roots could be used as selection criteria for agroforestry trees in arid ecosystems. Dehydrogenase activity and VAM fungi association in rhizosphere of six agroforestry trees (Azadirachta indica, Acacia tortilis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata) were studied under irrigated and rainfed conditions in the arid zone of India. Higher dehydrogenase activity (9.5 to 16.8∼p kat g soil⁻¹), root colonization (58.3 to 68.5%) and spore density (132.5 to 234.7 spores 100 g soil⁻¹) were observed in tree rhizosphere as compared to that in non-rhizosphere (7.4, 37.7 and 44.4). Irrigation had increased dehydrogenase activity by 22.1% while it reduced root colonization and spore density by 14.2% and 16.2%, respectively. Trees of A. indica had registered maximum growth while E. camaldulensis the least. Findings suggest that selection of A. nilotica, A. indica, and T. undulata for plantations of agroforestry in arid region would reduce the risk and ensure sustainability of the agroforestry system.     

Performance of eight tree species in the highland Vertisols of central Ethiopia: growth, foliage nutrient concentration and effect on soil chemical properties

The coverage of trees in the highland Vertisol areas of Ethiopia is very scarce. A tree screening trial was conducted from 1997 to 2002 in Ginchi (central Ethiopia) to select fast growing and high biomass producing tree species; evaluate foliage macronutrient concentration of different tree species; and assess effects of trees on soil chemical properties beneath their canopies. Acacia decurrens Willd, A. mearnsii De Wild and Eucalyptus globulus Labill attained the highest height growth at 64 months as compared to other indigenous and exotic species. E. globulus provided better height increment from 24 to 36 and 36 to 64 months than other tree and shrub species. Acacia mearnssi and A. saligna Labill Wendl produced high biomass at 40 and 64 months. Differences between the highest and lowest dry biomass at 12, 40 and 64 months were 1.13, 29.19 and 38.89 kg tree⁻¹, respectively. None of the tree species resulted in a foliage to stem biomass ratio of >0.98 at 40 and 64 months. Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr had high N and P concentrations in its foliages and stems at 12 and 40 months. Total N under Acacia abyssinica Hochst. Ex Benth, A.␣saligna and S. sesban was slightly greater at 40 months than 12 months.     

A scientific assessment of traditional knowledge on firewood and fodder values in Sikkim,India

Communities in the Yuksam-Dzongri trekking corridor of Sikkim use a wide variety of plant species as firewood and fodder with species preferences based on their local knowledge. Current practices are increasing harvest pressures on good quality firewood and fodder plants leading to deteriorating forest condition along the trekking corridor. To help develop management strategies and to ensure the long term sustainability of forest resources in this region, it is important to understand local peoples’ basis for their species preferences. In this paper, we compared people's preferences for species used as firewood and fodder using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools with data on these species’ chemical constituent properties to better understand the rationale for local preferences. Sixteen woody trees species (Rhododendron arboreum, Rhododendron falconeri, Rhododendron barbatum, Quercus lamellosa, Q. lineate, Schima wallichii, Prunus cerasoides, Prunus nepalensis, Castanopsis hystrix, Beilschmiedia sikkimensis, Acer oblongum, Betula alnoides, Eurya acuminate, Symplocos ramosissima, Alnus nepalensis and Litsaea elongate) and twenty-three fodder plants (including Thysanolaena maxima, Ficus nemoralis, Q. lamellosa, Imperata cylindrical, and Saurauia nepaulensis), the most widely used species in the area, were selected for study. The tree species were evaluated for their wood properties (calorific value, wood density, moisture and ash content) based on the Firewood Value Index (FVI), and fodder species for their nutritional qualities (dry matter, nitrogen and crude protein, and fat content). Most of the highly preferred species were found to have high values for firewood or fodder properties, and a significant correlation was found between the community scores and the FVI and some fodder attributes, namely dry matter and protein content. The study illustrates the applicability of local knowledge in relation to the chemical properties of species used for firewood and fodder.     

Biodiversity field trials to inform reforestation and natural resource management strategies along the African Great Green Wall in Senegal

Forest restoration is carried out with varying objectives in mind, one of which is biodiversity conservation. The present study examines the extent by which tree biodiversity could potentially be maximized in the context of the pan-African Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative (GGW). Towards this end, ten indigenous tree species were selected for study in the Ferlo region in Northern Senegal based on previous ethnobotanical studies in the zone. The species included Acacia senegal, Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana, Acacia seyal, Adansonia digitata, Balanites aegyptiaca, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Sclerocarya birrea, Tamarindus indica and Ziziphus mauritiana. Germination experiments were first performed in the laboratory on seed lots from Senegal, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and South Africa prior to in situ sapling production in the nursery in Northern Senegal situated along the GGW. A split plot field design was employed and the effects of seed provenance (two per species) and the addition of organic fertilizer at the timing of planting were determined. Over the course of the 2 year experimental period, the newly planted trees, in addition to the naturally regenerating woody vegetation and herbaceous grasses were monitored in the fenced-in experimental field plot. Of the ten species, only B. aegyptiaca, A. tortilis subsp. raddiana, and S. birrea exhibited moderate survival rates. The effects of provenance and fertilizer addition were sporadic and species-dependent. Natural regeneration of woody species was abundant albeit characterized by low biodiversity whereas herbaceous grass species showed extensive biodiversity, especially under tree canopies as compared to open areas.     

Chemical alterations induced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pycnoporus sanguineus</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus flavipes</Emphasis> co-cultures in wood from different tree species

Chemical alterations following inoculation of Acacia mearnsii, Eucalyptus dunnii, E. grandis, and E. macarthurii with a Pycnoporus sanguineus/Aspergillus flavipes co-culture were investigated. Several wood chemical parameters were measured using standard methods from the pulp and paper industry. The data were described and analyzed using univariate as well as multivariate statistical techniques. Boxplots and in particular biplots show clearly how the chemical composition of each tree species was differently affected by the co-culture. Lignin content was significantly decreased in A. mearnsii, while E. dunnii showed a decrease in cellulose content. The results, therefore, indicate that the manner in which wood is degraded by a specific fungal co-culture depends on the tree species involved. This phenomenon should be considered when selecting fungi for bio-pulping.     

金沙江干热河谷区8个造林树种的生态适应性变化

对金沙江干热河谷区8个造林树种的有关生理生态特性进行了研究。结果表明:相思类树种在旱季水分自然饱和亏缺较大,乡土树种坡柳和3种桉树则是雨季水分亏缺较大,具有WSD高而RWC低的植物同样具有很强的抗旱能力;比叶面积增大是植物提高抗旱能力的一个表现方面,但增加干物质积累、提高细胞质浓度也是途径之一;干热逆境可造成叶绿素含量降低,雨季叶绿素含量有较大提高,叶绿素a/b值也随之得到提高;参试树种的糖分含量旱季比雨季高,除马占相思外,其它树种淀粉与糖的比率则旱季比雨季低;在干热逆境胁迫下,7个树种(除尾叶桉)的游离脯氨酸含量有不同程度增加,旱季植株易出现萎蔫现象,有部分或较多叶片脱落的树种积累的游离脯氨酸较多。除造林效果较差的马占相思与其它7个树种有较多差异外,造林效果较好的7个树种在生理生态变化方面有较多相似性;同时,同类树种间有明显的一致性;乡土树种坡柳则在某些方面更近似于相思类树种,在某些方面又近似于桉树类树种;除马占相思外,3个相思类、3个桉树类树种与乡土树种坡柳同样在金沙江干热河谷区表现出较强的生态适应性。     

Shoot allometry of Jatropha curcas

The South African government has banned planting of Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha), potentially a multipurpose tree and biofuel source, owing to insufficient knowledge about the species. Use of allometry as a non-destructive method of monitoring growth and biomass attributes of Jatropha was investigated. The objectives were to examine: reliability of allometry between above-ground variables and basal diameter and crown depth of Jatropha; effects of below-ground interspecies competition and tree spacing on allometry; and validity of these relationships with independent data. The study site was Ukulinga Research Farm, South Africa. Destructive sampling was carried out in March 2008, and tree height and basal diameter were measured periodically during March 2005 to April 2007. Regression analysis and analyses of covariance were used to analyse the data. The height-diameter equation developed by destructive sampling was validated using independent data. Highly significant allometric regressions resulted from using basal diameter (r ≥ 0.89) and crown depth (r ≥ 0.94). Stem diameter had linear relationships with wood and foliage biomass percentages (r = 0.91). Height-diameter equations were equivalent across competition and tree spacing treatments. Predicted and measured tree heights were linearly related (r > 0.97). It could be concluded that above-ground allometry of Jatropha was very reliable and not significantly affected by either below-ground interspecies competition or tree spacing. The site-specific allometric equations are useful for accurate and non-destructive estimations of Jatropha growth under various growing and (non-pruning) tree management conditions. The equations presented here are, however, not universally applicable.     

金沙江干热河谷造林树种游离脯氨酸含量与抗旱性关系

金沙江干热河谷地区的主要造林树种中,以马占相思、山毛豆、真珠相思、大叶相思、台湾相思、绢毛相思、坡柳在旱季游离脯氨酸累积较多;赤桉、泰国赤桉、柠檬桉、尾叶桉、大叶桉、新银合欢、苏门答腊金合欢、滇刺枣无明显差异。无论从种属间或种源地,还是不同生态类型,都看不出游离脯氨酸的累积与抗旱性之间有明显的相关关系。作者认为,用游离脯氨酸作为植物抗旱性指标有一定局部性,但用它作为某些树种在干旱胁迫时植物体发生的     

Management of windbreaks in the Sahel: the strategic implications of tree water use

At sites in the Sahel where windbreaks are used to control wind erosion, management strategies are required to minimise competition for water between trees and crops. Uptake of water by windbreak trees was therefore studied in experiments designed to compare water use among tree species, assess which variables exert most control over transpiration and determine the source of water transpired by windbreak trees. Transpiration and soil-water extraction by Acacia nilotica, Acacia holosericea and Azadirachta indica trees in windbreaks were measured at the ICRISAT Sahelian Centre, Niger. Coupling of windbreaks to the atmosphere was evaluated and a stable isotope technique was used to compare utilisation of groundwater by windbreaks and crops at two sites in Niger with different water table levels. Azadirachta indica used least water, probably as a result of lower stomatal conductances, since windbreaks exhibited good physiological control over transpiration. The potential for competition for water was most severe with Acacia nilotica and Acacia holosericea, as they extracted large quantities of water through lateral roots, and at the location where trees could not access groundwater. At such sites, the effects of competition on crop productivity should be minimised by planting tree species with low water requirements and by using pruning to limit tree transpiration.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tree species preferences of foraging insectivorous birds in a primeval mountain mixed forest: implications for management

Bird–plant species associations can be an important component of habitat selection in forest birds. We assessed tree species preferences of foraging insectivorous birds in a primeval beech–fir forest in north-west Slovakia, hypothesizing that bird population densities are negatively associated with foraging specialization. We sampled foraging behaviour by random point observations from mid-May until the end of July during 1997?2003. Significant preference or avoidance patterns were found in 16 of 17 bird species. Based on the tree preference index, we distinguished four main foraging specializations: generalists, deciduous specialists, coniferous specialists, and dead wood specialists. Many bird species showed strong preferences for such rare and uncommon tree species as wych elm (Ulmus glabra), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), and Norway spruce (Picea abies). European beech (Fagus sylvatica), hazel (Corylus avellana), and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) were generally avoided. Birds with low densities tended to be most selective, but that effect was not statistically significant. Population variability was not significantly associated with foraging specialization. We hypothesize that impoverishment of tree species diversity within forest stands could lead to less diverse bird assemblages composed of species specialized on those tree species remaining and of generalist foragers able to adapt to a wide range of foraging substrates.     

Tree species composition,structure and utilisation in Maruzi Hills Forest Reserve in Uganda

The study investigated the tree species composition, vegetation structure and harvesting pattern to guide management of the Maruzi Hills Forest Reserve. Stratified random sampling was used to site six (100 m × 100 m) permanent sample plots in the woodland, bushland and grassland vegetation types identified in the reserve. Rényi diversity profiles indicated that bushland vegetation had a lower Shannon diversity index (H = 2.054) than grassland (H = 2.38) and woodland vegetation (H = 2.319). Grassland and woodland vegetation also had lower proportions of the dominant species (α_∞ = 1.15 and 1.66, respectively) than bushland vegetation (α_∞ = 3.25). However, the mean stem density of the woodland, bushland and grassland vegetation was 214 stems ha^?1, 191 stems ha^?1 and 114 stems ha^?1, respectively. Bray-Curtis and Jaccard ecological distance matrices showed that, although the three vegetation types shared some common species, the ecological distances were relatively high suggesting significant species composition variation between the vegetation types, particularly between the bushland and the other vegetation types. The species with the highest proportional abundance in the survey were Combretum molle (23%), Acacia hockii (17.7%), Combretum collinum (16.1%), Grewia mollis (6.5%) and Lannea barteri (6.5%). Diameter size-class distribution of woody perennials and tree stumps indicated higher frequencies of the smaller-diameter size classes. The stump records were indicative of charcoal burning and firewood collection as major causes of tree/shrub harvesting. The Maruzi Hills woodland conservation strategy should consider the differences in species composition between vegetation types if the highest number of species is to be conserved.     

Occurrence of the wattle wilt pathogen,Ceratocystis albifundus on native South African trees

Ceratocystis albifundus causes the disease known as wattle wilt of non‐native Acacia mearnsii trees in South Africa, Uganda and Kenya. Infection results in rapid wilt and death of susceptible trees and stem cankers on more tolerant trees. It has been suggested that C. albifundus is indigenous to southern Africa, possibly having spread from native Protea spp. to non‐native A. mearnsii and A. decurrens trees. Although C. albifundus has been collected from Protea spp., these reports are based on limited records for which only aged herbarium specimens exist. During surveys of wound‐infecting fungi on native tree species in South Africa, a fungus resembling C. albifundus was collected from Protea gaguedi, Acacia caffra, Burkea africana, Combretum molle, C. zeyheri, Faurea saligna, Ochna pulchra, Ozoroa paniculosa and Terminalia sericea. The identity of the fungus was confirmed as C. albifundus, using comparisons of DNA sequence data for the ITS and 5.8S gene of the rRNA operon. In pathogenicity trials, lesions were produced on C. molle and A. caffra, with some trees beginning to die at the termination of the experiment. This study represents the first report of C. albifundus from native tree species in South Africa and provides unequivocal evidence that the fungus occurs naturally on native Protea spp. The wide host range of C. albifundus, as well as its abundance on these indigenous hosts lends further support to the view that it is a native African pathogen.     

Nutrient use efficiency and biomass production of tree species for rotational woodlot systems in semi-arid Morogoro,Tanzania

Frequent nutrient removals accompanying wood and crop harvests from rotational woodlot systems may contribute to declining site productivity and sustainability because of soil nutrient depletion. However, selecting for nutrient-efficient tree species may well sustain productivity under this system. To test this hypothesis, a randomized complete block experiment was adopted to assess effects of five tree species on soil nutrients status, nutrient use efficiency and wood yield in semi-arid Tanzania. After 5 years rotation, top soils under Gliricidia sepium (Jaqua), Acacia polyacantha Willd. and Acacia mangium Willd. were the most fertile with soil organic carbon and exchangeable cation status raised close to those in natural Miombo systems. Soil inorganic N and extractable P levels reached sufficiency levels for subsequent maize culture. Wood productivity in tree fallows averaged three times higher than that of Miombo woodlands indicating the high potential of the woodlot system to supply fuelwood, and consequently relieve harvesting pressures on the natural forests. Acacia crassicarpa A. Cunn. ex Benth. produced the most wood (51 Mg ha⁻¹) at low nutrient “costs” presumably due to high nutrient use efficiency. Wood yield of this species was 42 and 120% greater than that of A. polyacantha and A. nilotica, respectively, but contained comparatively less nutrients (42–60% less for P, K, and Ca). Gliricidia sepium and A. polyacantha returned the largest amount of nutrients through slash at harvests. Of all test species, A. crassicarpa exhibited the most promise to sustain wood production under rotational woodlot systems due to relatively high productivity and low nutrient export at harvest.     

Evaluation of fuelwood quality of indigenous and exotic tree species of India's semiarid region

The fuelwood potential of indigenous (Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Casuarina equisetifolia, Dalbergia sissoo, Prosopis cineraria andZizyphus mauritiana) and exotics (Acacia auriculiformis, A. tortilis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis andE. tereticornis) trees were studied. Calorific value variations for components, such as, stump, main stem, treetop, branches, foliage and bark, were determined. Tree components differed highly significantly (P<0.01) among groups (indigenous and exotics) and within species. The calorific means ranged from 18.7 to 20.8 MJ/kg for indigenous tree species and 17.3 to 19.3 MJ/kg for exotics. Besides calorific values, other fuelwood characteristics, such as, density, ash, biomass/ash ratio, moisture and nitrogen content were also studied. It was observed that indigenous tree species are better suited as fuelwood species as they contain high density wood, low ash content and low N percentage. The fuelwood value index (FVI) was found to be high of indigenous tree species and was maximum forCasuarina equisetifolia (2815). The most promising tree species were in the order ofC. equisetifolia, A. nilotica andZ. mauritiana.