Replication Data for: Early survival and growth of Allanblackia stuhlmannii (Clusiaceae): a threatened tropical rainforest tree of high economic value in Tanzania

Rural households living in tropical ecosystems depend
heavily on forest trees for valuable nontimber forest
products that are, however, undergoing unsustainable
harvesting. This study assessed early survival and
growth of Allanblackia stuhlmannii (Clusiaceae), a nontimber
tree species endemic to Tanzania. A total of 400
seedlings sourced from twenty elite female trees were
planted in two adjacent locations. Data were collected
over 59 months for survival, height and root collar
diameter. Seedling survival at 59 months was significantly
different between Emau and Shebomeza, being on
average ~11% higher in Shebomeza. However, survival
of the progenies of each female tree at 59 months was
not significantly different. Overall, mean RCD (range:
6.8–59.7 mm) and height (range: 17.1–274.4 cm)
were positively correlated (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). The
correlations in heights of individuals between 17 and
59, and 23 and 59 months were positive (r = 0.34
versus 0.53, respectively). Results also suggested that if
growth rate is related to ontogeny from juvenile to
adult, then the progenies of ten female trees that have
shown consistently higher growth rates may flower and
fruit earlier than other progenies. Future planting for
conservation of this threatened, overharvested tree
species can therefore be based on data gathered from
these field genebanks.