Author Rance, W., Mapanda, W., Bedijo, N.G. & Ssali, F.

Year of publication 2013

Teak is one of the world’s most versatile and valuable plantation species because of its excellent wood properties. The stability of teak wood as well as its strength, pleasing colour, attractive grain pattern and favourable working and finishing properties make it suitable for many uses. The supply of teak timber from native forests in Southeast Asia (Myanmar, India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam) to the global timber market is becoming progressively restricted. Uganda’s natural forests are suffering under human pressure for settlement and agricultural land clearing, timber, charcoal and fuel wood production. Uganda is currently pursuing a policy of restoration and reclamation of degraded lands using reafforestation on community and private land. The value of teak in the world markets makes teak a promising species for plantation forestry. Plantations are an important potential source of tropical hardwood timber such as teak to narrow the growing gap between supply and demand. The prospects for developing teak plantations for timber production in Uganda are good since the country has adequate areas suitable for raising teak especially in Northern Uganda.