POPULATION STRUCTURE AND GROWTH OF JUNIPERUS PROCERA TREE FROM AFROMONTANE FOREST IN ETHIOPIA

This study provides basic information on the diameter growth, population structure, and standing volume of wood from Juniperus procera tree from Dry Afromontane forest in Ethiopia. A total of 163 sample plots were established to collect the relevant vegetation data. Growth ring measurements were conducted on 12 disc samples. The results indicate that Juniperus procera tree has an average density of 183 stems ha-1, total basal area of 12.1 m2 ha-1, and standing volume of 98.9 m3 ha-1. The mean annual diameter growth rate ranges between 0.50 and 0.65 cm year-1. The population followed a reverse J-shape diameter distribution pattern characterized by a higher number of individuals in the lower diameter classes and a progressively declining number of trees with increasing diameter sizes. The maximum current annual increment in volume (CAI) occurred at around 50 years when trees reached 30 cm in diameter. On the other hand, trees showed the maximum mean annual increment in volume (MAI) around 90 years and trees attain 50 cm in diameter.