General Information :

• This is an evergreen, large and glabrous tree.
• Bark is smooth and ash reddish brown in color.
• Leaves are red when young, later turn glossy green in color.
• Flowers are fragrant white in color.
• Fruits are ovoid woody, greenish in color
• Seeds are chestnut-brown and flattened on one side.

Distribution :

• It is common in Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu.

Habitat : Tropical wet Evergreen and Semi- Evergreen Forest.

Soil : The plant requires well drained and deep fertile soil, stiff clay soil.

Soil pH : 4.3 – 6.9

Altitude :Above 600 m (MSL)

Rainfall :2000 - 500mm

Temperature : 24 - 45°c

Terrain : Plains/gentle slopes

Tree Characteristics :

• It is a strong shade bearer, particularly when young and this makes it a valuable component of the middle storied tree in forests.
• It is susceptible to frost and drought.

Habit : Evergreen Tree

Natural Regeneration :

 

• Naturally regenerates profusely, due to abundant seeding and its capacity to       withstand shade.

 

Artificial Regeneration :

• Propagated by direct seed sowing and Nursery Raised seedlings.

Seed collection and Storage :

• The fruits are collected during December – January
• Collected fruits are dried in sun to separate the seed.
• The seeds are stored in gunny bags for 5 month.
• Viability of the seeds is very low.
• Germination capacity is 55 – 95 %
• Plant percent is 46-70
• Seed rate is 450-1200/ kg.

Seed Treatment :

• Cold water treatment for 24 hours.

Nursery Technique :

• The fresh seeds are dibbled in shaded Mother bed.
• The beds are water regularly and kept weed free.
• The germination starts after 10 days and completes in 2 months.
• Two leaf stage seedlings are pricked in poly bags and maintained in nursery for one year.

Plantation technique :

  Direct Sowing :  

• Direct sowing under slight shelter shows better results.

  Nursery Raised seedlings :  

• One year old nursery raised seedlings are adopted for planting.
• The seedlings are planted in the second rains in pit of 30 cm 3 at an espacement of 1.8 m X 1.8m

 

Care & Disease Control :

• Constant weeding is necessary for a period of 2 years.
• Thinning is necessary under artificial regeneration till the plants are established.

Irrigation :

For proper growth and survival it is necessary to give one or two waterings after planting. This is specifically required in arid regions. Irrigation after planting is not a prerequisite in areas having sufficient soil moisture and precipitation. Higher survival rate and better rate of growth is reported when soil and water conservation measures are also adopted.

Recommended Harvest :

• 18 - 20 years.

Yield :

• Increment of 0.25 m /year/tree

Agro Forestory :

• Annuals crops viz. Ginger, Turmeric, Aloe, Pineapple etc. can be grown as intercrops during first 3 to 4 years of growth.

Major uses :

• The wood is moderately durable; resistant to termites and insects;
• The wood is used for heavy construction (posts, beams, rafters, joists, columns) and heavy duty flooring and furniture
• It is also used for joinery, cabinet work, tool handles, agricultural implements, vehicles and boat building.

Other uses :

Bark acts as tonic after childbirth and also   useful in anemia.Bark and unripe fruit are sudorific. Leaf and flower are antidysenteric. Flower acts as stomachic, expectorant and used in piles & burning of the feet.Seed oil  is antirheumatic and used in skin diseases.  agricultural implements, rollers for mills, carving, rulers, and other products.