Abstract:
Melia volkensii is an indigenous free species in the dry land regions of some African countries, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Somalia where it has been over exploited for its valuable timber. Its common name in Uganda is giant Lira. Due to its valuable timber, National Forestry Resources Research Institute has been working on its silviculture for the last 5 years with the aim of establishing its suitability for plantation forestry in Uganda. The free grows best at altitude ranges of 400 to 1,650m with mean annual rainfall of between 300 and 800 mm. Melia can grow well in most sandy soils but prefers sandy loam soils with good drainage. The free does not tolerate black cotton soils or areas prone to water logging