Compiled by: P.P. Bosu, J.R. Cobbinah, B. Darko-Obiri, E.E. Nkrumah, S.S. Stephens & M. R. Wagner

Most forest plantations all over the world have been established using monoculture or single-species approach. Plantations consisting of two or more species on the same site, otherwise known as mixed-species plantations (or polycultures) are very few by comparison. One does not need to be an expert to figure why most tree growers prefer monoculture over mixed-species or polyculture systems. To a large extent, the motivation for most individuals or corporations to undertake tree plantation projects is economic. The objective may be to produce timber for construction, manufacture of furniture or some other secondary wood products. Plantations may also be established with the aim of producing utility poles, or raw materials for the manufacture of pulp and paper products. As the economic or financial return is key in all these ventures efforts are made to maximize the production of wood fibre with as little an investment as possible. Under such operational conditions, monoculture plantations are often preferred because of relative ease to establish and manage whether under small, medium or large-scale operations.

Author: Emmanuel Marfo

This report synthesizes the various studies and discussions that have been carried out on chainsaw milling (CSM) in Ghana. It is targeted to policymakers, researchers and indeed all stakeholders, both in Ghana and elsewhere. It is intended to provide up-to-date information about chainsaw milling in Ghana. It builds on various reviews and studies conducted between 2005 and 2009 (Odoom 2005; Adam et al. 2007a, b
and c; Marfo, Adam and Obiri 2009; and TIDD/FORIG 2009), and on papers presented at an African regional workshop on chainsaw milling, held in Accra on 25

Authors: Victor K. Agyeman, James Senaya, Luke C. N. Anglaaere, Christian D. Dedjoe, Ernest G. Foli & Stella Britwum Acquah

This publication gives a description of consociations, associations and complexes of soils that are encountered in some forest reserves in Ghana. The information provided is mainly on the major characteristics of the soils encountered and their suitability for plantation development in the forest reserves. It does not capture information on the extent of individual soils found suitable for purposes other than commercial forest plantation development.

Over 50 per cent of all the degraded forest reserves earmarked for plantation development have soils that are generally considered very good (S1) and are capable of supporting good growth of the forest tree species selected for the establishment of plantations.

Authors: Victor K. Agyeman , Elijah Danso, Kofi A. Marfo, Alex B. Asare,Michael O. Yeboah & Fredua Agyeman

The Taungya system (TS) is an establishment method for reforestation where farmers are given parcels of poorly stocked forests to produce food crops and help replant the degraded forest areas. The TS is usually practised in areas where there is land shortage and was introduced in the country in the early 1920