Abstract:
The field of dendrochronology has not been widely applied in tropical species because many scientists
generally perceive that such species rarely produce distinct growth rings. This study was undertaken to
determine if the key Miombo species produce distinct growth rings and to determine the relationship
between the number of growth rings and age of the tree and stem diameter. The results showed a high
correlation between number of growth rings and stand age for both charcoal (P < 0.001, r = 0.9246) and
slash and burn (P < 0.001, r = 0.9019) regrowth stands. Additionally, the study has revealed high mean
annual ring width values ranging from 4.4 to 5.6 mm in both charcoal and slash and burn regrowth
stands. The pattern of ring development per year and the mean annual ring width values provide a basis
for the use of ring counts in determining the age of Miombo regrowth stands and predicting the
merchantable age for key Miombo woodland species. The results can therefore be used in planning the
cutting cycles in Miombo woodlands. However, the phenomenon of missing growth rings suggests that
the influence of environment in the use of growth rings in age determination need to be considered in
areas that experience droughts.
