Domestication of native tree species for timber plantations: key insights for tropical island nations

A review of tree domestication principles, practices and case studies illustrates the importance of a methodological approach to domestication. Domestication of new species involves of the entire value chain from identification of candidate species, through production and management, to uptake by communities and markets. Efforts to domesticate forest trees have often neglected the final step of adoption, with the result that many projects have resulted in mature trees without markets. Ensuring adoption and marketability is important for the success of any domestication effort, but especially in small island nations where local markets may be small, transport limited and transaction costs high.