Diversity of Roadside Tree Species in Urban Areas in Southern Zone of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

An enumeration of roadside trees along major routes of three selected urban towns in southern parts of Ekiti State was examined. A total of 23 tree species belonging to 16 families were enumerated. Tree density enumerated was 147 while houses in the tree vicinities were 442 thus given a ratio of 1 tree to 3 houses. Most of the trees were products of wildling preservation rather than planted. The products derivable from the trees constituted a major prerequisite to their being preserved and/or planted. The incentives and disincentives to tree domestication in the study area were identified. Strategies that would improve the present situation were proposed.