Performance of Tropical Pines and their Provenances in Tamil Nadu

Trials with tropical pines were taken up by the Silvicultural Research Wing of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department from 1962 onwards. This paved the way for the introduction of Pinus patula. Sch.& Cham, on a plantation scale in the Nligiris in 1967 and in the Kodaikanal Hills from 1968. Species-cum-provenance trials of tropical pines were initiated during 1979 in Tamil Nadu by the Tropical Pine Research Centre,. Kodaikanal. Initial observations reveal that Pinus patula and Pinus pseudostrobus are ideal species for the higher altitudes. (above 2,000 m M S.L). P. oocarpa performed better at middle altitudes (between 1,000-1,500 m above M S L.). Among the Pinus patula provenances, F.R.I. No. 511 from Malawi and F.R.I. No. 619 from Tanzania are superior to the other provenances. Provenance F R.I. No. 516 from Nicaragua has shown better performanc, among P. pseudostrobus provenaces, followed by proveoance, F.R I No. 515, from Guatemala. Among P. oocarpa proveoaoces, F.R.I. No. 625 from La Campa. Honduras. F.R.I. No. 624 (LaCampa Honduras) and 468 (from Guatemala) were superior over others. Pinus caribaea provenances F. R.I. No. 649 from Poptum Guatemala were superior over others. Further observations are continuing.