ABSTRACT
Individual neem trees are reported to live for 200 years. Because weeds compete for moisture and nutrients, early growth of seedlings is much retarded, and regular weeding and cultivation stimulates neem growth and vigor. In Nigeria, a form of taungya was used for neem plantation establishment and farmers cultivated groundnuts, beans, and millet between the trees, but the forest department planted the trees. According to Michel-Kim and Brandt, the yield of neem varies between 10 and 100 tons of biomass ha/year, depending upon rainfall, site conditions, and spacing, and 40 tons can be achieved easily under the proper conditions. Neem coppice shoots have also been attacked and killed, but the roots of the stump were not damaged and produced fresh coppice shoots. Neem seedlings are killed by frost and fire, and large trees are frequently snapped off during high winds. However, trees seemingly killed by fire will coppice and regrow if cut soon after the burn.
