Cordia alliodora: genetics and tree improvement

Abstract

Cordia alliodora (R. andamp; P.) Oken, is an important neotropical tree, which combines timber of high quality and value with fast growth on good quality soils. The wood of C. alliodora is of great importance throughout its natural range, both for local use by fanners and as a commercial timber in national markets. The species is a prolific seeder, regenerates easily, and is often found, following forest clearance, as pure stands of varying densities. Fanners favour natural regeneration of C. alliodora within agroforestry systems, for which its light crown and selfpruning habit make it particularly suited, allowing some timber production without excessive competition with the crops (peck and Bishop, 1992~ Somarriba and Beer. 1987)...</p