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Effect of rainfall and under-canopy vegetation on the ability to debark <i>Eucalyptus grandis</i> x <i>E. camaldulensis</i> when felled in Zululand, South Africa : research note


Gert J Van den Berg
Keith M Little

Abstract

The combined effects of seasonal variation in rainfall and the presence or absence of under-canopy vegetation on soil moisture content may have a negative or positive impact on the ability to debark eucalypts. A study was initiated to investigate these interactions on the ability to debark Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis when felled at eight years in Zululand, South Africa. Following a period of high rainfall (94 mm in 30 days), the presence of under-canopy vegetation did not influence the ability to debark the trees. This ability to debark the trees was reduced following a period of low rainfall (11 mm in 30 days), however, this was even more pronounced in the presence of under-canopy vegetation.


Keywords: Bark / wood bond strength, Soil moisture, Water potential


Southern African Forestry Journal No.200 2004: 71-75

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eISSN: 2070-2639
print ISSN: 2070-2620