Abstract:

Research to select suitable species and provenances for planting in Uganda started in 1908 and 1966 respectively. It was not until 1953 that the research was greatly extended when methods of research planning and recording were established in the first written silvicultural research plan. Todate, more than 170 species have been tried in about 400 research plots.
Among the gymnosperms, Pinus caribaea, Pinus oocarpa and Pinus patula are by far the most suitable for timber production in the country. Araucaria angustifolia, Araucaria hunsteinii, Araucaria cunninghamii and Cupressus lusitanica are also important plantation species.
Eucalyptus species, (Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus tereticomis) performed best among the angiosperms. Terminalia, Markhamia, Measopsis and Cordia species have also performed satisfactorily.
This paper is a review of past experience in identifying species and provenances for plantation forestry. Emphasis is placed on the period after 1953 when the first silvicultural research plan was written.