Assessment of General Volume table for Populus deltoides in northern Haryana

Abstract

Populus deltoides is an important agroforestry tree species adopted by the farmers in North India. The economic returns are comparatively better than rice-wheat rotation under well managed conditions. The presented investigation was carried out in the Yamunanagar district of Haryana state. The data on tree height, diameter at breast height was recorded on 91 randomly selected trees having diameter at breast height (1.37 m from surface) ranging from 14.2 to 35.4 cm. The trees were felled and cut into logs of acceptable merchantable lengths. The trees were felled and cut into logs of acceptable merchantable lengths. The data on log length, log diameter on both ends and at mid-point, and log weight were recorded. The volume regression equations were developed to predict the volume table on basis of diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height, and DBH alone. Results were statistically analysed and found that all equations had very good-fit. Using R2 as the indicator of best fit, the model proposed by Schumacher and Hall (R2 = 0.941) was found the most appropriate to predict volume for poplar plantation in Haryana. Single-entry model (R2 = 0.902) was also recommended for predication of volume as it is not always easy to measure accurate height of the standing tree. These tables will be useful to the farmers, timber growers, wood contractors, state forest departments, research workers and the planners in their respective areas of concern for future plantation programmes.