Effect of rainfall and under-canopy vegetation on the ability to debark Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis when felled in Zululand, South Africa

Abstract

The combined effects of seasonal variation in rainfall and the presence or absence of under-canopy vegetation on soil moisture content may have a negative or positive impact on the ability to debark eucalypts. A study was initiated to investigate these interactions on the ability to debark Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis when felled at eight years in Zululand, South Africa. Following a period ofhigh rainfall (94 mm in 30 days), the presence of under-canopy vegetation did not influence the ability to debark the trees. This ability to debark the trees was reduced following a period oflow rainfall (11 mm in 30 days), however, this was even more pronounced in the presence of under-canopy vegetation.