Characteristics and management potential of some indigenous rewood species in Malawi

Taking a case study from Malawi's Central Region, this paper identi®es the locally important ®rewood species and discusses options for their management. The wood properties (moisture content and density)of 15 commonly used indigenous ®rewood species were determined and according to the fuel value index employed, the high grade ®rewoods were Combretum apiculatum, Pericopsis angolensis and C. molle. Supported by socio-economic, inventory and ecological data, the status (stocking and basic density)and coppice management of the preferred ®rewoods was then discussed. Whilst the high grade species had a low stocking in the woodland, their coppicing response was good, reaching a mean basal diameter of 4.4 cm and mean height of 3.3 m in 4 years. The paper proposes that these species be managed for domestic ®rewood on a coppice rotation of 5 years upwards and recommends that national policies for fuelwood production develop mechanisms for incorporating the rural woodland users into the management process.