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Household tree holdings: A case study in Mutoko communal area, Zimbabwe

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Abstract

Tree holdings at homesteads and in homefields were investigated for two villages in Zimbabwe. Of the households, 90% owned at least one exotic tree. Trees were concentrated at homesteads and conserved indigenous trees tended to be edible fruit trees. Female heads of households (divorcees and widows) had fewer trees than households headed by men. Households with longer period of residence at a site had increased the proportion of indigenous fruit trees compared to non-fruit trees. Wealth status showed no relationship to tree holdings. The considerable tree planting and tree conservation activity around homesteads and in homefields has the effect of replacing non-fruit indigenous trees with exotic and indigenous fruit trees. Agroforestry research, extension and development should focus more on current practices, concentrate more on trees that farmers favour (such as fruit trees) and take into account differences among households.

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Price, L., Campbell, B. Household tree holdings: A case study in Mutoko communal area, Zimbabwe. Agroforestry Systems 39, 205–210 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005919717145

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005919717145

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