Forest plant characteristic 1

Characteristic target species

Written by mr Zulfahmi

Sunday, 26 August 2007

Characteristic target species Altingia excelsa Botanical name : Altinga excelsa Noroña Local name : Indonesia : rasamala, mala, tulasan, mandung. Burma: nantayok. Laos: sop. Thailand: sop, hom, satu. Vietnam: t[oo]h[aj]p 1[as] h[if]nh tim. Distribution This species is distributed from the Himalayas through the moister part of Burma toward Peninsular Malay¬sia (where it is extremely rare), Sumatra and Java. In Java it is found only in the western part between 500 and 1500 m above sea level in humid mixed hill and montane forests. In Sumatra, it is distributed in Bukit Barisan. It occurs naturally mainly on humid sites with more than 100 mm rainfall per month, on rich volcanic soils. It is planted for refor¬estation mainly in West and Central Java. Close plant¬ing space is recommended, as the young rasamala trees tend to form multiple stems when openly exposed Characteristic target species Altingia excelsa Botanical name : Altinga excelsa Noroña Local name : Indonesia : rasamala, mala, tulasan, mandung. Burma: nantayok. Laos: sop. Thailand: sop, hom, satu. Vietnam: t[oo]h[aj]p 1[as] h[if]nh tim. Distribution This species is distributed from the Himalayas through the moister part of Burma toward Peninsular Malay¬sia (where it is extremely rare), Sumatra and Java. In Java it is found only in the western part between 500 and 1500 m above sea level in humid mixed hill and montane forests. In Sumatra, it is distributed in Bukit Barisan. It occurs naturally mainly on humid sites with more than 100 mm rainfall per month, on rich volcanic soils. It is planted for refor¬estation mainly in West and Central Java. Close plant¬ing space is recommended, as the young rasamala trees tend to form multiple stems when openly exposed. Physiological characteristics A monoecious, evergreen, large and lofty tree up to 40 – 60 m tall; bole branchless for 20-35 m, 80-150(-185) cm in diameter, often slightly twisted or fluted at base; bark surface almost smooth, with narrow, longitudinal fissures and finally irregular flaky with long, thin, light grey to yellowish or brownish-grey flakes; crown irregular globular, seedling with epigeal germination; cotyledons foliaceous, on a hairy petiole; leaves arranged spirally. Leaves alternate, ovate, 6 - 12 cm long, 2.5 - 5.5 cm wide, with finely toothed margins. Flowers are unisexual with male and female flowers in separate inflorescences, but on the same tree. Female flowers are borne 4 - 18 together, in rounded heads that are 1.2-2.5 cm in diameter. Petals and sepals are absent in both female and male flowers. Propagation methods Originally, seedlings from natural regeneration in the forest were used (natural regeneration is usually plentiful, even in plantations). But later the seeds were sown on seed-beds. The best way to obtain viable seeds is to pick nearly ripe fruits and dry them in the sun. the weight of 1000 seeds is about 6 g. Seeds are viable for a short period and should be sown rapidly. The seeds should be soaked in cold water for 24 hours before sowing. The sowing medium is a mix of sand and soil (1:1). Germination starts about 10 days after sowing. One month old seedlings can be transplanted to plastic bags, preferably in a growing medium en¬riched with organic matter and fertilizer. Germination is epigean (cotyledons emerge above ground). Silvicultural methods In industrial plantation, rasamala is generally planted in initial spacing of 3 x 1 m. Leucaena leucocephala (lamk) de wit is often inter-planted young plantation to suppressed weeds. Young rasamala trees tend to form double leaders when much light is available, and therefore close planting in pure stands is preferable. Thinning is needed about every 5 years. The rotation is at least 60 years, but preferably 80 years. Usage The wood is very durable and can be used in direct contact with the soil. Because of its long, branchless boles, it is favored for frames of bridges, columns and beams for construction, power transmission poles, telephone poles and railway sleepers. Furthermore, the timber is used for heavy construction, vehicle bod¬ies, ship and boat building, heavy flooring, rafters, veneer, plywood and pulp. The young reddish-brown tips of the branches are eaten raw or cooked as a veg¬etable. In Java, in traditional medicine, the leaves are used to cure coughs. The tree produces an aromatic resin, which is used as incense. Alstonia spectabilis Botanical name : Alstonia spectabilis Local name : Legaran Distribution A. spectabilis occurs from India and Sri Lanka through mainland South-East Asia and southern China (Yunnan), throughout Malesia, to northern Australia, the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands. In Australia, the species is widespread in coastal areas in northern Queensland including Cape York Peninsula, and extends southwards to central Queensland. Disjunction populations occur away from the coast in the Northern Territory. Physiological characteristics Medium to large tree to about 40 m high and 125 cm dbh, with corky grey, grey-white bark, somewhat tessellated. The boles of larger trees are strongly fluted to 10 m, tapering and somewhat twist. The outer blaze is cream to yellowish in color with abundant, milky exudates (latex) that flows rapidly when cut. The crown is narrow domed, deep and dense, or eventually diffuse with large spreading limbs, small in relation to size of the bole. Propagation methods Propagation is mainly by seed which dehisces naturally from the mature follicles on drying. There are 37 to 87 seeds per gram and an average germination rate of 50%. Storage life of seed is unknown but may be as brief as two months. About 90% of germinants will provide healthy, vigorous seedlings suitable for planting out the field. A. spectabilis has been grafted successfully: cleft grafting and inverted T-grafting were found to be the most appropriate. There are no special requirements for the sowing of seed of this species. It does best in full sunlight. With a shallow covering of sowing mix and light and regular watering, germination starts within about 12 days and continues for 3 months. Plantable seedlings of about 30 cm tall are produced in 9 to 12 months. Stumps of 6 mm diameter at the collar may also be produced. Silvicultural methods In most countries of South-East Asia, A. spectabilis is harvested selectively from natural forest with a diameter limit of 40 cm, 50 cm or 60 cm. Natural regeneration is often scarce so enrichment planting may be employed, using the strip system. However, sufficient opening of the canopy is essential for optimum growth of seedlings. Commercial plantations are best planted at a square spacing of 1.8 m at the start of the wet season and may require regular thinning. Young trees coppice well. Plantation areas should be cleared and burnt. Clean weeding is essential after the first month and twice more during the first year. After one year of growth when trees reached 1.5 m tall the removal of climbers by cutting should be carried out. Usage The wood is used for fuelwood; sawn or hewn building timbers; for light construction; carpentry/joinery; containers; crates; boxes; vats; woodware; industrial and domestic woodware; toys; turnery; matches; furniture; veneers; wood based materials; plywood; blockboard; particleboard; pulp. Australian Aboriginal people used the bark for treatment of abdominal pains, dysentery and fevers and the latex for neuralgia and toothache. In India the bark is used to treat bowel complaints and has proved a valuable remedy for chronic diarrhoea and the advanced stages of dysentery. The active constituents are alkaloids found in the bark and latex. The hill tribes of northern Thailand boil the bark in water, which is then drunk to combat the effects of malaria; the bark and leaves are used for a variety of ailments. Acacia mangium Willd Botanical name : Acacia mangium willd. Local name : Indonesia: tongke hutan, mange hutan. Malaysia: mangium. Thailand; krathin-thepha. Distribution Acacia mangium is native to Queensland Australia, Indonesia (Aru island, Papua and Maluku) and Papua New Guinea, but now has a longitudinal range from 88o to 146oE. Acacia mangium is a low-elevation species associated with rain-forest margins and disturbed, well-drained acid soils (4.5 – 6.6). Altitudinal range is from sea level to about 100 m, with an upper limit of 780 m. It is typically found in the humid, tropical lowland climatic zone characterized by a short dry season and a mean annual rainfall between 1446 and 2970 mm, with mean monthly temperatures range from a low of 13 – 21oC and a high of 25 – 32oC. Mangium tolerates a soil pH as low as 3.8, and has performed well on lateritic soils with high amounts of iron and aluminum oxides. It is intolerant of saline conditions, shade and low temperatures. Physiological characteristics Shrubs or small to fairly large trees up to 35-39 m tall, bole branchless for up to 21 cm, up to 100 cm in diameter, not buttressed; bark surface (of timber trees) dark grey or brown, deeply longitudinally fissured, inner bark pale brown or red to pink. Leaves are arranged spirally, bipinate and consisting of many opposite. Seeds in 1 row, usually elliptical to oblong, more or less flattened. Seedling shows with epigeal germination; cotyledons borne above the soil level. Propagation methods Acacia can be propagated from seed and by air layering, cutting, grafting, and tissue culture. For the production of seedlings, the pods should be processed as soon as possible after harvesting. Pods and seeds should not be left to dry in the sun too long, as temperatures exceeding 43oC reduce viability. The number seeds/Kg is 63.000-189.0000 for A. mangium. Seed can retain its viability for many years if stored cool (0-5oC) Silvicultural methods Acacia species are pioneers and demand full light for good development; in shade A. mangium grows stunted at spindly. Acacia trees are renowned for their robustness and adaptability, which makes them good plantation species. A. mangium regenerates abundantly in clear-felled areas or where light fire has occurred. Spacing of the seedlings in the plantation depends on the intended uses and aoil fertility. Since natural pruning is poor, trees should be planted at clse spacing. Plantations cultivated for pulpwood usually have 4 x 4 m spacing and for timber have 3 x 3 m spacing. The first weeding should be two months after out-planting. Pruning schedules depend on intended use. In agroforestry systems, branches are pruned regularly to prevent competition with agricultural crops. On degraded Imperata grasslands, it was observed to have a mean annual volume increment 10 m3/ha/year. In a 15-year rotation, pre-commercial thinning should occur at 24 months, followed by a thinning 36 months. Usage A. mangium is important source of wattle timber; the wood is used for e.g. construction, boat building, and furniture and cabinet-making, veneer, but it also makes excellent particle board and wood chips. The tree is also used for firewood and is occasionally planted as an ornamental, for erosion control, or as firebreak or windbreak. The leaves may serve as forage for cattle. Maesopsis eminii Engler Botanical name : Maesopsis eminii Engler Local name : kayu afrika Distribution M. eminii occurs naturally between 6oS and 8oN in tropical Africa along the Gulf of Guinea from Liberia to Angola and through Zaire, southern Sudan and Uganda to Kenya and Tanzania. Physiological characteristics It is an early succession species, adept at colonizing disturbed areas in forests. Within the area of natural distribution it is found in the lowlands and extending into submontane forest up to 100 m altitude. It is normally planted in lowland and gross best at altitudes from 600 – 900 m. The tree prefers mean annual rainfall of 1200 – 3600 mm and tolerates a dry season of up to 4 months. Prefers deep, well-drained soils but can grow on light soils if there is sufficient water. Unarmed, evergreen to deciduous tree, 15-25 (-25) m tall with an open, spreading crown. Bole exceptionally straight, cylindrical, up to 15 m tall and 50(-180) cm in diameter; buttresses small or absent; bark pale grey to grey brown or almost white, smooth or with deep, vertical, often twisted furrows; slash red outside, yellow near the wood. Branch-lets with patent short hairs. Propagation methods M. eminii is mortly propagated by seed obtained from fresh ripe fruit, after the pericarp has been mechanically removed and the seed has been dried for several days. To improve germination, seed may be soaked in water for 1-2 days. Fresh seed has yielded over 90% germination, but viability decreases rapidly after 3 months. Potted striplings and stumps have given good results. Silvicultural methods Thinning is required after the 5th year to allow a proper crown/stem ration to develop. Established plantations may be coppiced. M. eminii is self pruning. M. eminii competes well with weeds cannot suppress Imperata grass. M. eminii may be final harvested at 20 – 30-year old. Usage In Africa M. eminii is commonly retained in home gardens for shade, fuel and timber, while leaves are used for fodder. In Africa and India it is often planted as a shade tree in coffee, tea and cardamom plantations, in Zaire also to shade cocoa trees. Because of its fast growth, it is widely planted for fuel wood, although its light wood is non an ideal fuel. It is good general purpose timber for indoor construction, for joinery, boxes, furniture and millwork, core stock for plywood and particle board. Peronema canescens Jack Botanical name : Peronema canescensi Jack Local name : Indonesia: sungkai, jati sabrang, jati londo, kurus. Malaysia: sukai, cherek. Thailand: sangkae, khoeilai, sakae. Distribution Peronema is Monotypic genus and is native in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, West Java and Kalimantan Physiological characteristics An evergreen or deciduous shrub or small to medium-sized tree up to 20(-30) m tall; bole straight or slightly, flexuous, branchless for up to 9(-15) m, up to 70 cm in diameter, usually with a small buttresses; root system superficial, with a short taproot; bark surface dirty grey or light buff, smooth to fissured and fibrous or scaly; crown ovoid; twigs 4-angled, densely short-hairy. Seedling with epigeal germination, cotyledons equal, petiolate, ovate with an emarginated apex, first leaves pinnately lobed, subsequent ones imparipinnate. Propagation methods Seed germinate soon under full light, but collected seeds do not germinate well. The common method of propagation is by stem cuttings taken from straight trees. Trees from stem cuttings will finally develop a superficial root system similar to that of trees grown from seed. Silvicultural methods Sungkai is unsuitable for planting in mixtures with other species, but it may be used as first cover for the planting of dipterocarp species. Self-pruning does not occur sufficiently. Artificial pruning is necessary; wounds caused by artificial pruning heal fast and seldom cause rot. Usage The lightweight, non-durable timber is used for pillars in house, interior finishes, and especially for roof trusses on account of its lightness and strength. It has been used to make carts, and bridges for light traffic. The tree is often planted in hedges. In traditional medicine the bitter juice of the leaves and a decoction of the bark are used against fever. Boiled leaves are used in a poultice against ringworm, and in a mouth-wash against toothache. Swietenia macrophylla King Botanical name : Swietenia macrophylla King Local name : Mahoni daun lebar Distribution Widely distributed in various regions, native to Mexico, Central and northern South America (Amazon region). Extensively planted mainly in Southern Asia and the Pacific, also be introduced to West Africa. Physiological characteristics A medium-sized to large tree up to 40(-60) m tall, bole branchless for up to 150(-200) cm, buttresses board and plank-like, up to 5 m high; leaves on young trees sometimes larger. Propagation methods Generative propagation is mainly practiced for S. macrophylla, due to ability to produce large amount of seeds in a season. Ripe fruits must be collected to achieve a good germination rate. These open after 2 days of storage and the seeds are very viable. The germination rate of fresh seeds is 60-90%. They can be stored up to 2 months, or longer (up to one year) if kept cool (2-50C) in sealed containers at about 45% relative humidity. The weight of 100 seeds of S. macrophylla is 400-500 g. Silvicultural methods In industrial and monoculture plantation, S. macrophylla is generally planted in initial spacing of 3 x 1 m. In Perhutani land, the tree in some cases is planted surrounding the edge of compartments. Although natural regeneration in S. macrophylla stands may be plentiful, it is usual to plant seedlings raised in nurseries. Monoculture plantations of mahogany are susceptible to pests, and for that reason mixed plantations with other fast-growing species are often preferred. Thinning usually starts at 6 years after planting, and may be final harvested at 15 – 20-year old. Usage S. macrophylla is one of the most valuable furniture timbers in the world due to the decorative and attractive timber with good technical characteristics. In agroforestry systems it is used for shade and fuelwood. Shorea leprosula Miq. Botanical name : Shorea leprosula Miq. Local name : Meranti Merah, Meranti Tembaga (Indonesia), Pelepak Kontoi (Kalimantan), Merkuyang (Sumatera). Distribution Borneo, Sumatera, Bangka, Balitung, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand. Physiological characteristics Evergreen big tree up to 50 m tall, large crown, oblong or hemispherical, open. Propagation methods Plantation can be done with seed and natural regeneration (wildling)/ bare root planting and by vegetative propagation (shoot cutting) Silvicultural methods Strip cutting-artificial/natural regeneration, lowland Dipterocarp forest below 700 m a.s.l., lower hill slopes and valleys, a strong light demander. Usage Construction material, floor board, and container. Tectona grandis L.f. Botanical name : Tectona grandis L.f. Local name: Teak, Teackbaum (Germany), Jatos (Java), Kyan (Myanmar), Sagwan (India), Maisak (Thailand), Teca (Brazillia). Distribution India, Myanmar, Muangthai, Vietnam, Sabah, Philiphina, Brunei, Trinidad, Puertorico, Ceylon, Cina. Physiological characteristics Big tree, 25-50 m at height of 100 years-old tree; big and straight stem when it is grown at fertile land. Trees grown at infertile land has more significant response on fire/burning, pasturing, and/or pest diseases. Propagation methods Plantation can be done generatively (seeds) and vegetatively (shoot cutting and grafting). Silvicultural methods Clear cutting-artificial regeneration. Naturally found at various geological formation such as tertiary limestone and sandy limestone. Grow better in good soil condition with good aeration and drainage. In Indonesia, teak found on lowland to hilly area from 0-700 m a.s.l. In India, Teak found on area at 1300 m a.s.l, and 1000 m a.s.l. in Myanmar. Teak grew in large size at humid tropical climate with annual rainfall 1200-2500 mm. Teak is intolerant as it require more light for better growth. Usage Bolster, meubel, pillar, log, house building, bridge, roof frame, door cushion, window and tool wood. Ecalyptus pellita F. Muell Botanical name : Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell Local name : Suburu, Bur Tek Mera Distribution Australia (Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Bateman’s Bay, New South Wales), Northwest Papua New Guinea, South-East Irian Jaya. Physiological characteristics Tree height is 35 m at good condition. In Australia, even suppressed trees can reach 47 m at height. But at bad condition, the habitat will turn into coppice with totally height only 20-30 feet. Propagation methods Plantation can be done with seed, natural regeneration (wildling)/bare root planting and by vegetative propagation (shoot cutting). Silvicultural methods Regenerated artificially by clear cutting. This species grow at wide range of topography, mainly were found at the lowland to inclined area, but also found in limited number at hilly area with good drainage. Soil type were varies from sandy podsolik to forest clay soils. Better growth performance were found at wetland forest climate with maximum temperature range from 24-33°C and minimum 6-16°C; elevation 0-750 m a.s.l with mean annual rainfall 900-2300 mm. Grow quickly at tropical lowland and sub-humid climate condition, but can also tolerate the poor soil and rock in coastal area. Usage Building construction wood, industrial of crafting, and firewood. Intsia bijuga (A. Gray) Botanical name : Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) O.Kuntcze Local name : Kayu besi, merbau, kadimbil Distribution From Tanzania and Madagaskar through Southern India and Burma, towards Malesia, Northern Australia and Polynesia. Physiological characteristics A medium-sized to large tree up to 50 m tall, bole branchless for up to 20 m and up to 160(-250) cm in diameter; leaves with 2(-3) pairs of leaflets, leaflets thinly leathery with an acute to cuneate base and an acute to emarginate apex, 3,5-11 cm x 1,5-8 cm. I. bijuga occurs most frequently in coastal forests and along tidal rivers but it also found inland up to 600 m altitude. Seedling with epigeal germination. Propagation methods Merbau seeds are protected by a hard seed-coat which is impermeable to water. Mature seeds have a moisture content of less than 10 % and hence can survive for more than 3 years without any specific treatment. Germination may take up to nearly 2 years. Vegetative propagation of merbau by means of 60 cm long was tested in Philipines. Six weeks after planting in a sandy clay-loam medium the mortality rate was 62%. Silviculture methods After logging, dormant seeds in the soil can germinate abundantly in gaps around the stumps. Merbau is apparently a successful secondary forest tree. In Papua New Guinea a 50-year rotation or natural stands has reported as suitable, but in Malaysia it has been estimated that a rotation of some120 years would be required merbau in plantations. Usage I. bijuga is an important source of merbau timber. Bark and leaves are used medicinally, building construction, bridge, pole, veneer and the seeds can be eaten after careful preparation. {mospagebreak} Agathis lorantifolia Salisb Botanical name : Agathis lorantifolia Salisb. Local name : Indonesia: dammar raja, kisi, salo. Philippines: dayungon Distribution : The Philippines, Sulawesi and the Moluccas. Physiological characteristics A very large tree up to 65 m tall; adult leaves elliptical, tapering towards the rounded apex, with solitary resin canals. A. lorantifolia is scattered but locally common in lowland rain forest up to 1200 m altitude. Propagation methods Natural regeneration may occur under shade near mother trees, but seedlings are often rare. Naturally established seedlings in plantations can be used as planting stock. Artificial regeneration is mainly by sowing. It is not recommended collected fallen seeds. The weight of 1000 dry seeds is about 200 g. seed must be sown as soon as possible, because the viability drops rapidly, from 90-100% initially to zero after some weeks. Silviculture methods Commercial plantations should be be on gentle slopes on well-drained soils worth good aeration. Extensive clearing, often accompanied by burning, is required to prepare the sites. Initially it is preferable to retain some overhead shade from shade trees, but in the sapling period, openings in the canopy are needed for further successful growth. Young plantations must be weeded. The usual rotation for pulpwood production is 20 years in Java, but a longer rotation is needed for timber production. Usage The wood is used as kauri. A. lorantifolia is an important source of copal resin. It is excellent for joinery, boat building (especially masts), construction under cover, household utensils, paneling, turnery, moldings, packaging and foundry pattern making.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 26 August 2007 )