Decline and Mortality of<i>Ocotea bullata</i>Trees in the Southern Cape Forests
Annotatsiya
SYNOPSIS Dying trees of Ocotea bullata (Lauraceae) occurred in small groups in certain areas in the medium-moist forests of the southern Cape. Crown health declined significantly (P > 0,01) in the dying groups, but this was not the general trend for the study period of four years. In general, the population is in a healthy state. Group decline is related to a combination of fluctuating wet and dry periods, logging disturbance and a root pathogen. The presence of epicormic shoots was negatively correlated (P > 0,01) with the crown health status. This is therefore an indicator of declining health in a tree and can be used as such by management in decision-making. An O. bullata tree with a crown health status of 2 (i.e. less than 40% foliage cover) and with epicormic shoots may be considered as a dying tree.