Features and allometric relationships characterising trees on farmland – an example from Chainpur VDC, Chitwan

Abstract

Trees on farmland are important sources of fodder, food and a range of wood products and improve local climate and the ecological quality of agricultural landscapes. In spite of this, little is known about the composition of farm tree populations, farmer's management and the resulting characteristics of the trees. In a case study in Chainpur VDC, Chitwan, all trees with diameter 3 2 cm 0.5 metres above ground were enumerated and mapped within 8.44 ha of farmland. The total number of trees was 898, corresponding to a density of 106 ha-1. The basal area 0.5 and 1.3 m above ground were 2.00 and 1.42 m2ha-1, respectively, and the total crown cover was 8.76%. The number of species recorded was 63, most of which were represented by only a few individuals. The most frequent species were Melia azedarach L. (Bakaino, 238 individuals), Bauhinia purpurea Wall. (Tanki, 111 individuals) and Ficus hispida L.f. (Khasreto, 87 individuals). Measurements of diameter and height of crown and stem were done for a sample comprising 81% of the trees. In addition, ocular assessment of the lopping intensity was carried out. Based on these observations, a set of allometric models relating stem diameter, tree height, crown width, crown length and lopping were developed and used for preparation of schematic tree silhouettes. Marked differences between tree species were observed with regard to crown shape and the effect of lopping on shape. Key words: allometric models, farmer's tree species preferences, fodder tree species, lopping assessment, tree silhouettes doi: 10.3126/banko.v17i2.2152 Banko Janakari, Vol. 17, No. 2, 18-26