Michelle Cocks and Tony Dold 77
43 tree species dominated by Olea capensis L. ssp. macrocarpa (C.H. Wr.)
Verdoorn, Podocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) R.Br. ex Mirb., Mimusops obovata Sond.
and Nuxia floribunda Benth. in the canopy, and Trichocladus ellipticus Eckl.
and Zeyh. and Canthium ciliatum (Klotzsch) Kuntze in the subcanopy (Bailey
et al. 1999).
(Cassipourea flanaganii)
C. flanaganii is located in primary and secondary forest areas as it is a
mid-canopy species reaching a height of 8 m (Coates Palgrave 1997). The bark
is harvested throughout the year. Smaller diameter individuals (<41 mm) are
not harvested because of the difficulty experienced in removing the thin bark.
Hence, the main limiting factor for harvesting is size, and therefore the age
of the tree. Within the study site the tree is common in tall (15 m+) forest on
the south-facing slope and considerably less common on drier east facing
aspects. C. flanaganii individuals in the forest show no immediate associations
or distinct areas in which they are more common. The species appears to have
a loose clumping habit, as in some areas there were many seedlings present,
whilst in other areas there were none. The clumping is attributed to restricted
seed dispersal. Occasional mature trees were found that could be identified
as possible progenitors of clumps of seedlings. Little is known about biology
and reproduction of C. flanaganii as no detailed studies have been conducted
on the species. Spatially, trees in the Hobo forest showed similar densities
throughout, and only a few sections were devoid of C. flanaganii. It is suggested
05cassipourea.p65 77 22/12/2004, 11:04