PRUNING OF NERE TREES (PARKIA-BIGLOBOSA (JACQ) BENTH) ON THE FARMLANDS OF BURKINA-FASO, WEST-AFRICA

This study of the pruning of nere (Parking biglobosa) trees in central Burkina Faso included detailed surveys of 83 trees and their owners i n 21 villages. Pruning is not widespread, but appears to be a practice with various motives and techniques. The motives are mainly aimed at deliberate management of the trees, in order to enhance their fruit pr oduction, and are rarely aimed at reducing tree impact on crop product ivity. The characteristics of tree pruning techniques (e.g., frequency , intensity and seasonality) and their corresponding motives appear to change as an adaptation to land degradation processes and the deterio ration of tree condition. The results demonstrate that indigenous silv icultural management techniques contribute to a sustainable use of tre e resources.