Page 202 - Area 9 - Relevant Document

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This technology is relevant for all farming areas except irrigation
schemes.

Establishment and spacing

Initially trees can be established at a close spacing (0.75-1.00 m) and
then later thinned for poles, fito or firewood to a final spacing of 1.5-
3.0 m. With double rows the spacing between the rows should not be
less than 2 m. The tree propagation method will depend on the
species, but use of seedlings or transplantation of wildings are
common.

Management aspects

Management is similar to that for trees in fields.

Benefits

In small-scale farming areas boundary planting is usually enough to
reduce wind speed, and there is no need to establish windbreaks.
Trees on boundaries which are regularly pollarded can meet most of a
family's need for firewood. In addition, other products and services are
obtained and the boundary is effectively demarcated.

If the trees are not well managed there may be negative effects on
crops, and if competitive species are planted root competition may be
a problem. Conflicts with neighbor’s may arise if the sharing
arrangements are not well handled.

Examples of species
Certain species, e.g. Cordia abyssinica and Croton megalocarpus, have
traditionally been used as boundary markers. Grevillea is a very
popular tree too. Trees with a short lifespan, e.g. Sesbania spp.
and Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, are less suitable unless they are
combined with more permanent trees. Competitive trees such as
eucalypts, pines and Acacia mearnsii should be avoided. Many other
non-competitive trees are suitable (see the list under "Trees in fields").
Non-commercial fruit trees, e.g. Syzygium cuminii, Vitex spp.
and Annona spp., can also be suggested.

Live fences and hedges

Spatial arrangement

Live fences may be established all around the farm, but it is most
common to establish such a fence around the homestead.