Variation in Growth and Reproductive Characteristics in a Seed Collection Area and Plantation of Cedrus libani

Abstract In this study, variation and comparison of growth (tree height, diameter at base, diameter at breast height and crown diameter) and reproductive (numbers of female and male strobili and cone production) characteristics based on one year of data collected from sixty trees of each natural seed collection and its plantation area in a forty years old of Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) was examined to contribute to silvicultural (i.e., afforestation, forest tending, management of seed sources) and other forestry practices of the species. Seed collection area showed higher performance than its plantation for the characteristics together with large variation among individuals within area. Results of analysis of variance indicated significant (p < 0.05) differences between seed collection and plantation areas for the characteristics except of cone production. Impact of growth characteristics on reproductive changed for the areas and characteristics, while they were significant (p < 0.05) and positive effects on reproductive characteristics in pooled areas.