The Luquillo Experimental Forest Arboretum

Since 1960, various tree species, mostly exotics with productive potential, have been planted in small blocks within a tract of subsistence farmland. The site, located on the lower western slope of the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico, has become a unique arboretum. The plantings were weeded and maintained for several years, but later were neglected. A complete inventory and measurements have been made now that some of the species have reached harvest size. Sixty-eight species, some represented by multiple subspecies or provenances, still survive. Fourteen species have died out completely. Promising species are identified for timber production or for ornamental use in high rainfall areas of Puerto Rico. Statistics given for plots of each species are: average height and diameter for trees on the plot, height and diameter of the tallest tree, percent survival, and seed and seedling production.