Influence of Initial Spacing on Growth and Branching Characteristics of Cordia africana Trees Established on Eritrean Highland

The study reports on the influence of initial spacing on growth and branching habit of Cordia africana trees established on Eritrean highland. The initial spacings used in this study were 1.0×1.0 m, 1.5×1.5 m, 2.0×2.0 m, 2.5×2.5 m, 3.0×3.0 m, and 3.5×3.5 m; these are equivalent to 1 m², 2.25 m², 4 m², 6.25 m², 9 m² and 12.25 m² in growing space per tree, respectively. No significant relationship between spacing and tree height was found, but increased spacing increased crown diameter and root-collar-diameter. On the other hand, an increase in spacing reduced wood quality because it increased branch diameter (knot size). Thus, from a wood quality perspective, adopting close spacing in plantations of C. africana could be advantageous.