Silvicultural management practices of Acacia seyal under parkland agroforestry for sustainable fuel wood and charcoal production in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Acacia species are a vital source of fuelwood, building poles, forage, gums, and tannins; yet there remains a gap in knowledge regarding sustainable management practices for fuelwood and charcoal production. This study evaluated the effects of different management practices, namely pollarding and coppicing, applied in different seasons (July, October, and January) on Acacia seyal trees to determine optimal practices for sustainable fuelwood and charcoal production in parkland agroforestry systems. Using a randomized complete block design with three replications, the study was conducted in Habru District (Molla Georgis Kebele) and Gubalafto District (Jarssa Kebele), Ethiopia. The study revealed that pollarding and coppicing significantly influenced single-tree volume (ranging from 0.022 to 0.027 m 3 ), but did not significantly affect total tree volume. Pollarding demonstrated higher survival rates of new sprouts (85–92%) than coppicing (38–42%) across all seasons. Additionally, pollarding in January emerged as the most suitable practice because of its reduced impact on crops and alignment with local socio-cultural activities such as weddings, Edir gatherings, funerals, and annual ceremonies. These findings suggest that promoting January pollarding through extension services could balance ecological sustainability with community needs, whereas discouraging coppicing during dry months would improve tree survival. We recommend integrating these practices into local agroforestry guidelines to enhance sustainable fuelwood production.