1.7 How to protect the seedlings?

Tree seedlings may be harmed by browsing, fire, insects and diseases. The risk of damage should be assessed and protection ensured during planning.

In most areas some sort of agreement and protection is needed to keep livestock out of the plantation during the establishment phase. Goats and sheep chew leaves and shoots and tear off the bark. Cattle can quickly destroy a plantation by trampling on the young seedlings.

Forest fires are often man-made. If the plantations benefit all members of the community, prevention of fires is mostly a matter of public relations and information. Sharing the produce of the plantation is one way of increasing the interest of the local population. Permanent guarding, fire breaks and controlled grazing or grass-cutting are also means of preventing fire.

Insects and diseases are often species-specific. Species liable to damage should be avoided. Pesticides or chemically treated plants may also be used.

Protection measures are described further in Chapter 6.

When to plant

Planting should start early in the rain

How to protect the seedlings

Figure