SURVIVAL, GROWTH, YIELD AND WOOD QUALITY OF A SPECIES AND PROVENANCE TRIAL OF CUPRESSUS-LUSITANICA, CUPRESSUS-LINDLEYI AND CUPRESSUS-BENTHAMII AT HAMBALAWEI, LUSHOTO, TANZANIA

The objective of this study was to determine differences in survival, growth, yield and wood quality of a species and provenance trial of Cu pressus lusitanica, Cuprassus lindleyi and Cupressus benthamii at Hamb alawei, Lushoto, Tanzania. The experiment consisted of the following s pecies/provenances: A: Cupressus lusitanica Ex Sokoro, Kenya B: Cupres sus lusitanica Ex Elburgon, Kenya C: Cupressus lindleyi Ex Mexico, nea r Mexico City D: Cupressus lindleyi Ex San Rafael, Mexico City E: Cupr essus benthamii Ex El Chino, Hildago State, Mexico. The layout of the experiment was a simple randomized block design with 3 replications. A t the ages of 3, 4, 5, 7, 20 and 23 years. Data was collected of survi val, breast height diameter, height and stem form. Basic density was a ssessed at the age of 23 years. Analysis of variance of the data colle cted at the age of 23 years and the previous assessments have shown th at Cupressus lusitanica ex Sokoro, Kenya was significantly better (P = 0.05) in diameter growth. Species/Provenances A, B and D had signific antly (P = 0.005) higher heights than the rest. There were no signific ant differences between species/provenances in survival, basal area, v olume, basic density and stem form. Generally the Mexican introduction s had no advantage over the Kenyan races. However, as a way of broaden ing the genetic base and species range, it is recommended that all the tested species and provenances be used in large scale planting since their differences were not of practical significance.