Influence of Old‐Stand Forest Management on Natural Regeneration and Early Seedling Development of Cupressus lusitanica (Mill.) in Yeraba Forest, Northern Ethiopia

Cupressus lusitanica (Mill.) is one of the principal plantation tree species in Ethiopia; however, practical guidance on old‐stand forest management practices that promote natural regeneration and early seedling development remains limited. This study investigated the impact of various old‐growth forest management treatments on the regeneration success and initial seedling growth of C. lusitanica in Yeraba Forest, Northern Ethiopia. Four management treatments, clear‐cutting, shelterwood system, stand thinning, and unmanaged control, were evaluated using a randomized block experiment layout with three replications. Regeneration density, seedling height, and root collar diameter were recorded 1 year after treatment application. Statistical evaluations were performed using analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test at the 5% significance level. Management treatment significantly influenced both regeneration abundance and seedling growth variables. The greatest regeneration density occurred in the clear‐cut treatment (10,811 seedlings ha −1 ), closely followed by shelterwood treatment (10,189 seedlings ha −1 ), whereas unmanaged stands produced the fewest seedlings (2000 seedlings ha −1 ). In contrast, seedlings growing under shelterwood system conditions showed superior mean height (38.36 ± 0.32 cm) and root collar diameter (0.94 ± 0.01 cm), compared with other treatments, indicating more favorable microsite conditions for early development. The results demonstrate that canopy management strongly influences regeneration outcomes in C. lusitanica plantations. While complete canopy removal promotes high recruitment, partial canopy retention appears more beneficial for early seedling growth. Selecting suitable management systems is therefore essential for sustaining productive C. lusitanica plantations in Ethiopia.