Planted forests
Description of plantation resources
Introduction
Egypt is an arid country. It may divided into three main regions: the Delta, Middle Egypt and Upper Egypt. There are no natural forests and the native forest tree species are limited in number. The most commonly grown species were introduced from Australia (UA, 1999a).
Development of forest plantations
Forest plantation started in the nineteenth century when Casuarina and Eucalyptus seeds were introduced and planted around fields and along roads, canals and drainage ditches.
Afforestation activities are carried out mainly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Irrigation, General Authority for Roads and Bridges, local administrative authorities and the Agency of Environmental Affairs (UA, 1999a).
Species composition
The native species Ficus sycamores and Morus spp. are planted along canals for shade and for their edible fruits. Other indigenous species are Tamarix aphylla, Acacia arabica, Parkinsonia aculeata and Palatines aegyptiaca.
Casuarina spp., mainly Casuarina glauca, C. cunninghamiana and C. equisetifolia, are the most common introduced trees in Egypt. They constitute about two-thirds of the plantation area, while Eucalyptus camaldulensis is the second most commonly grown species.
The other most commonly grown trees are Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia saligna, Peltophorum africanum, Albizia lebbeck, Tipuana speciosa, Populus alba, P. nigra and P. euphratica.
In Upper Egypt, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia arjuna, Khaya senegalensis and Swietenia mahagoni grow satisfactorily. Introductions and provenance trials are carried out to try new species. Eucalyptus occidentalis and some Acacia spp. have proven to be well adapted (UA, 1999a).
Trend
The general policy is to establish woodlots irrigated with treated sewage water around many of the cities in the country. About 2 200 ha are expected to be established by 2002 (UA, 1999a).
Issues
No information available.
References
UA. 1999a. National afforestation and forestry action plan. Country Report. Cairo. The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Undersecretariat for Afforestation.
UA. 1999b. FRA 2000 Input of Egypt. Cairo. The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Undersecretariat for Afforestation.