Didelotia idae in the Gola Forest, sierra leone

Abstract

The place ofDidelotia idae Oldeman, de Wit & Leonard in the Gola Forest is discussed with regard to forest structure, exploitation and species distributions. At present, it is an important species in the timber economy and in some areas accounts for 50% or more of the trees cut. From examination of a small area, its distribution is shown to be gregarious and discontinuous. It is commonly found withCryptosepalum tetraphyllum and to a lesser extent with Xylia evansii and Brachystegia leonensis, whileLophira alata and Saccoglottis gabonensis tend not to occur in association with it. The regeneration possibilities ofDidelotia are discussed.