The relationship between canopy width, height and trunk size in some tree species growing in the Savana zone of Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, the relationships between canopy – width, height and trunk size of the following tree species growing in Kano (12oN, 8.5 – 8.7oE), a town located in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Northern Nigeria were examined: Parkia biglobosa, (Jacq-Benth), Khaya senegalensis (A. Juss), Eucalyptus species, Adansonia digitata (Linn). Cassia siamea (Lam), Azadirachta indica (A. Juss), Delonix regia (Boj, ex Hook) and Acacia nilotica (Linn). Twenty trees of each species ensured to be free from obvious ecological disturbances were selected for the study. Analyses of the data obtained indicate
that, with the exception of Eucalyptus sp. and A. digitata, the relationship between height and trunk size is linear. A linear relationship between canopy width and trunk size was also observed in the eight tree species studied, except A. digitata. The canopy width/height study showed a linear relationship in all the tree species. The results are discussed in the context of their adaptive significance and use in determining suitability of the trees for afforestation, forest regeneration and establishment of shelter belts to arrest desertification.