Growth and yield of young Quercus ilex coppice stands in the Tafferte forest (Morocco)

The coppice method is the silvicultural system commonly applied to Quercus ilex (holm oak) forests for the production of firewood and charcoal. Although the holm oak is the species that covers the largest area in Morocco (1400000 hectares), little is known about its growth and yield. The objective of this study is to quantify the stand growth and yield of young coppice holm oak stands in the Tafferete for- est in the eastern part of the Middle Atlas (Morocco). Equations relating dominant height to age, and basal area, volume, and number of trees to dominant height were developed and used to derive young holm oak coppice yield estimates. The growth and yield information developed in this study may have a greater utility in defining cul- tural measures that should be applied in the early stage of holm-oak coppice stands.