The establishment and tending of Acacia mangium.

Abstract

Acacia mangium is now an important plantation species in the humid tropics of Asia, being relatively easy to grow and adaptable to a wide range of conditions. In Malaysia, there has been interest in growing the species for high quality sawlogs as well as for pulpwood. This paper draws extensively on the authors' experience with A. mangium in Malaysia, and also refers to work done elsewhere in the region. The Malaysian material is based on a broad range of management regimes practised at contrasting sites. Knowledge of rainfall, soil type, nutrition and growth habits, and their relative effects on new and established plantings, is used to draw up recommendations for management of A. mangium plantations.