Effects of planting practises and pruning on the growth of Castanopsis cerebrina species in Lao Cai

Abstract

Experiments to study the effect of planting practises and pruning methods on the growth of Castanopsis cerebrina in Bao Thang, Lao Cai were arranged in a randomized complete block with 3 repetitions. The results of monitoring after 2 years showed that, the planting practises and pruning technique influenced on the growth and quality of C. cerebrina. Regarding the mixed planting practises of C. cerebrina with Styrax tonkinensis, the survival and growth rate of C. cerebrina is better than the mixed planting practises with Acacia mangium and pure plantation. After 2 years of planting mixed C. cerebrina with Styrax tonkinensis, the survival rate of C. cerebrina was 88.6%, the average diameter at breast height was 5.2 cm and the average height was 4.3 m. Regarding pruning, the technique of pruning the entire number of branches on the lower 1/3 of the stem and the combination of staggered pruning up to 2/3 of the stem for growth and quality of C. cerebrina is better than other pruning techniques. Pruning time begins 6 months after planting and prunes twice a year, each time 5 - 6 months apart. Pruning by this method after 2 years of age gives an average diameter of C. cerebrina of 4.7 cm and an average height of 4.2 m. After 2 years of planting C. cerebrina in the two experiments mentioned above in Bao Thang, Lao Cai province, it shows that the C. cerebrina species grows well and is very promising to provide timber in the future