9. TREE PROPAGATION METHOD

9.2 Use of wildings

Wildings are seedlings that have grown naturally from dispersed seeds. Such seedlings are often found under mature trees, but may also be found far from the mother tree if the seeds were dispersed by birds or wind, for example.

A very simple way of promoting the growth of more trees is simply to protect young seedlings that come up naturally. This method is important both in ASAL areas and in high-potential areas.

In ASAL there is normally a good natural regeneration of trees as soon as an area is protected from grazing. This regeneration is not only from seedlings germinating from seeds, but often even more from root suckers or coppice shoots. Before any efforts are made to plant trees in ASAL areas, this potential for natural regeneration should always be considered, and normally only trees that for some reason cannot regenerate naturally should be planted. This may apply to introduced species, for example, or to indigenous species which have become rare due to over-exploitation.