Proceedings of National Workshop on Priority Tree Species

Tree Species Selection Process
Identification and Selection <strong>of</strong> Priority Tree Species for Cambodia.
Introduction: In Cambodia there is an estimated 3,000 woody species <strong>of</strong> which 200 are
plantable. In the recent decade Government planting programmes have focused largely on
exotics such as Eucalyptus, Acacia and Tectona grandis.
Only limited data is available on each tree species regarding its distribution, propagation,
wood properties and market value. This leads to an initial screening through a
participatory process such as today’s workshop with representatives from forest and seed
source owners and managers mainly at Government and Provincial level and supporting
Institutes and NGO’s. The findings can be augmented with questionnaires and interviews
<strong>of</strong> key stakeholders such as end-users and developing <strong>of</strong> strategies for support to the four
items listed under introduction.
In the workshop one can discuss from personal experience the present planting, or
whether it is envisaged to increase or decrease for individual species. We can also review
the estimated annual planting in Cambodia i.e. actual hectares per species in 1999 and
expectations for near future up to 2010. It is <strong>of</strong>ten convenient to establish groups <strong>of</strong> trees
according to end use, wood properties, growth characteristics or socio-economic
importance
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