The seasonal pattern and vertical distribution (up to 60 cm) of fine root of fourrnindigenous tree species; Celtis africana and Croton macrostachyus, (deciduous) Prunusrnafricana and Podocarpus falcatus (evergreens) were investigated in the dry afromontanernforest of Munesa-Shashamane, South Ethiopia, using the sequential coring method.rnWhile seasonal changes were more pronounced in the deciduous species compared withrnthe evergreens, marked seasonal changes in total fine root mass, fine root biomass, andrnfine root necromass were observed in all the studied species. The highest values ofrnmeasured fine root parameters were recorded during major rain season followed by smallrnrain and dry seasons. In all species, total fine root mass, fine root biomass, and necromassrnin the major rain season were significantly higher than other seasons. In the two wetrnseasons, Croton macrostachyus had highest total fine root mass, fine root biomass andrnnecromass followed by Celtis africana, Prunus africana and Podocarpus falcatus in thatrnorder. In contrast, in the dry season, generally, the evergreens had higher total fine rootrnmass, fine root biomass and necromass compared with the deciduous species. In the dryrnseason, the highest total fine root mass record was that of P. africana and then decreased,rnin order, from Croton macrostachyus to Podocarpus falcatus to Celtis africana. Further,rnfine root biomass of Prunus africana > Podocarpus falcatus >Croton macrostachyus >rnCeltis africana in the dry season. Dry season fine root necromass data analysis showedrninconsistent results. Fine root accumulation was significantly largest in the uppermost 10 cm soil layer. Arngeneral decrease in total fine root mass, fine root biomass and fine root necromass withrnincreasing depth was recorded for all the species studied in all seasons. The decline inrnfine root biomass concentration with increasing depth might be attributed to therndecreased organic carbon and nitrogen, increased acidity and clay content downwards inrnthe examined soil profile. The distribution of fine root necromass was similar to that ofrnfine root biomass with the highest concentration on the upper surface. This can bernexpected compared to the lower depths given greatest amount of live fine root biomass inrnthe upper soil profiles that eventually die at the end leading to higher necromass on thernupper layers as compared to the lower depths.rnThe above results are discussed in light of understanding the forest under investigationrnand its management.