Planted forests
Description of plantation resources
Introduction
Forest plantations in Iraq are of very limited extent and the wood produced does not cover even a very small fraction of the national demand for wood and wood products. However, the privately-owned small-scale poplar plantations of Populus nigra c.v. thevestina established near villages in the mountains constitute a very important source of construction material in rural areas. No statistics are available on the wood production from these plantations.
Development of forest plantations
Great efforts have been made by the government of Iraq since the early 1950s to develop plantation programmes, both in areas with adequate rainfall as well as irrigated areas in the plains (Gulcher and Nouri, 1973).
During the early 1970s, the Directorate General of Forests and Forestry designated more than 42 000 hectares for the establishment of industrial plantations. Only 17 percent of the designated area has been planted. By 1999 the total planted area was 10 195 hectares.
Species composition
A few forest tree species were introduced into the country in the early 1920s. Trial experiments indicated that Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. microtheca were suitable for planting in Iraq. During the period 1955 to 1975 many clones of Populus nigra, P. x euramericana and P. deltoides were introduced and proved to be very successful in the northern and central parts of Iraq.
Since the early 1950s, plantation programmes were established in areas with sufficient rainfall and in irrigated areas in the plains. They consisted mainly of Eucalyptus camaldulemsis, E. microtheca, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Platanus occidentalis, Pinus brutia and Populus spp. Plantations of Populus nigra c.v. thevestina are established near villages in the mountains.
Trend
The Directorate General of Forests and Forestry is planning to establish more than 42 000 hectares of industrial plantations to meet the increased demand for wood and wood products.
Issues
No information available.
References
Sehab, S.A. 1999. Forests and forestry in Iraq. Baghdad. Ministry of Agriculture.