Influence of patch geometry, post-bark-extraction-treatment on bark recovery and standardizing number of sprouts for bark harvest from coppices in Cinnamomum zeylanicum blume: implications for sustainable harvesting

Though Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a very important commercial aromatic bark yielding and oldest known tree spice of India, there are hardly any studies to understand the nature of wound healing and bark recovery. Further, optimal number of sprouts to be retained under coppice system to maximize the bark yield per tree in C. zeylanicum is not yet standardized. The present investigation was carried out to understand the influence of patch geometry and application of post-bark-extraction-protection treatments on bark regeneration in mature trees as well as to standardize an optimal number of sprouts to be retained under coppice system to maximize the bark yield per tree. In general, wound healing in C. zeylanicum occurred from the edge of the blaze and was quicker in the narrower patch than the broader patch; application of Bordeaux paste or neem seed kernel extract on the blazed area immediately after the bark extraction, resulted in significantly higher mean percent bark recovery and higher bark oil content than control. Allowing seven coppice sprouts per stem resulted in higher dry mass of bark per plant and higher bark oil than other treatments under coppice system. The results of the study would enable formulation of management strategies specifically for sustainable bark harvesting in Cinnamomum species.

Automated summary

This study is important for understanding the wound healing and recovery of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark, as well as optimizing the coppice system to maximize bark yield. The results showed that narrower patches healed quicker and application of protective treatments after bark extraction increased bark recovery and bark oil content. Retaining seven sprouts per stem in the coppice system resulted in higher bark yield and bark oil content.