Sal

Sal (Shorea robusta) is a dominant tree species in the terai (southern flat lowland) of Nepal. It is common up to 1000 m. Sal is a deciduous species and attains height up to 45 m. It is the main source building timber and also used as fuelwood and fodder (Jackson, 1994). 

Sal is a dominant tree species in the community forest of Terai. Sal forests occur at elevations up to 1500 m above sea level. With respect to its silvicultural characteristics, Sal has been described as the most gregarious and aggressive tree species of the forest (Troup 1921 cited in Sapkota et. al. 2009).

Introduction: Sal Forest is mixed with other associate species. Forest condition was good in terms of growing stock, with over matured and deformed trees of undesirable species. There was gap in different diameter classincluding regeneration of Sal species. Forest was dominated by Mallotus and Lagestromia (shadebearer) species that causes in changing forest composition from Sal to undesirable other shade bearerspecies. The objective of CF management is set by FUG i.e. production of good quality Sal timber.

Species diversity and regeneration of old-growth seasonally dry Shorea robusta forests following gap formation, Sapkota, I. P., Tigabu M., and Odén P. C. , Journal of Forestry Research, Volume 20, Number 1, Harbin, China, p.7-14, (2009)