Diameter increment and growth of podocarpus trees in natural forests.

Abstract

Stems of Podocarpus gra~i/iO~ P. .",ilanjia~!: we~, ejected at Kaptagat natural forest s~ap rr Eft,furrent dia~t increment assessments. Remeasurementswere4onBbvet-:: eral growth periods. Under the localprevaiHng clima ------- --~ons, P. gracilior showed better diameter increment than P. milanjianus though its periodic mean annual diameter increment of 0.34 cm is low. Lack of free growth conditions may partially explain the low rate of growth. No significant relationship was noted between initial diameter of individual trees and their corresponding mean annual diameter increment in both podocarpus species. Although the available data were limited, it may be tentatively concluded that for these species and such locality to reach a diameter at breast height (DBH) (OB) of 45 cm or 60 em, P. gracilior requires 128 and 175 years respectively. P. milanjianuswould require 136 and 220 years to attain the forementioned DBH (OB), respectively.