COMPARATIVE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NEOLAMARCKIA CADAMBA ROXB. BOSSER (WHITE LARAN) UNDER DIFFERENT SITE CONDITIONS IN FOREST PLANTATION AT JAWALA PLANTATION INDUSTRY, SAPULUT FOREST RESERVE, NABAWAN

This study investigated the growth of Neolarmakia cadamba Roxb Bosser (White Laran) under various site conditions characterized by different elevations, slopes, distances from roads, and forest fringe. Plots that meet the criteria were established in two distinct areas, one year and five years old, of planted N cadamba trees. The study shows that the growth of one-year-old planted trees at a higher elevation with a flat area shows a higher mean diameter of breast height (DBH), mean total height, and volume compared to those planted at a lower elevation with a hilly area. Meanwhile, the mean DBH and total height of five-year-old planted trees are higher in flat areas adjacent to the roadside and forest fringe. Kruskal-Wallis test that compared the plots shows a significant difference in DBH, Height, and Volume with p<0.05. This study indicates differences in the growth of N. cadamba based on varied site conditions of slope, altitude, and distance from the roadside and forest fringe, which could be attributed to nutrition and light penetration under different site conditions. This study could induce more studies in the relevant field, especially concerning the recommendation and prediction for any treatment during the early growth phase of the species in different site conditions.