Forestry expert dates the first plantation in South Sudan to 1919, at Kagelu, Central Equatoria. Planting activity intensified in the 1940s, across the Equatorias and Bahr el Ghazal. In 2004, thirteen teak plantations were found and mapped by satellite and in 2007, a further five plantations, covering a total of 76.8 square kilometres were found with different satellite technology. Most of the mature trees standing today are between 35 and 50 years old.
Plantation areas constitute small fraction compared to natural forest reserves and forests outside reserves. Plantations include both indigenous and exotic species. The largest plantations are made of Acacia used for gum
Other species include;
- Acacia nilotica
- Eucalyptus
- Acacia nilotica
- Cupressus lusitanica
South Sudan teak forests are the oldest in Africa, having been planted by British colonialists before Sudan gained independence in 1956. Plantations were mainly established for the following purposes
- Fuel wood and building material that is irrigated plantations of eucalyptus and acacias
- Sawn timber production that is Acacia niloticain riverine forests
- Environmental protection that is shelterbelts, wind breaks in agricultural schemes
- Acacia plantations for combating desertification in semi desert areas
- Watershed protection (plantations along seasonal rivers and water courses, canal site plantations in northern Sudan