Morphology characterization of Cordia africana populations at six provenances in Northern Ethiopia.

Cordia africana is one of the most important indigenous timber trees of Ethiopia. An understanding of how the tree performs in the wild and under domestication will have a farreaching impact on the proper management and utilization of this important species. To this end, the study was carried out to investigate the morphological growth performance of C. africana population in natural forests and on farmlands (under domestication processes). Six provenances in northern Ethiopia (Mekelle, Kemisie, Zegie, Finote-selam, Dejen and Tikil-dingay) were selected, taking 16 to 20 individuals with DBH > 10 cm, from both forest and farmland populations. Sample trees were measured for branching height (B), total height (H), diameter at breast height (DBH) and crown diameter (CD) and ratios B:H, H:DBH and CD:DBH were computed and analyzed by one-way ANOVA. There were significant differences between the provenances of forest grown trees in B:H and CD:DBH ratios while H:DBH ratio was not. Within most provenances all ratios were significantly varied between forest and farmland grown trees in which forest trees were superior in bole length and total tree height with smaller crown size. This suggests that the current domestication process of the tree is not adequate to obtain a best tree for timber. Therefore, identifying the best provenances and appropriate managements during domestication process of C. africana would improve the morphology of the species.