General Information :

• Cinnamomum verum is an evergreen tree.
• In an unharvested state, the trunk is stout, 30-60 cm in diameter, with a thick, grey bark.
• The young leaves of the flush are reddish, later turning dark green in color. Flowers very small, pale yellow, with a foetid smell.
• Fruit a fleshy ovoid drupe, black, when ripe.

Distribution :

• Cinnamon is a native of Sri Lanka and is cultivated in lower elevations of Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Habitat : Evergreen Forest

Soil : Tolerant of a wide range of soils.

Soil pH : 4.5-7

Altitude :Up to 2000 m

Rainfall :2000-2500 mm

Temperature : 13-28°C

Terrain : Hills

Tree Characteristics :  

• grows mostly in hilly areas.

 

Habit : Deciduous tree

Natural Regeneration :

• Propagated by seed.

Artificial Regeneration :

• Propagated  by seedlings, cuttings,Air layering.

Seed collection and Storage :

• The berries are collected in the month of May-June.
• The collected fleshy berries are left in heaps for about 2-4 days in shade in order to soften and rot. 
• Pulp is then removed and air dried.  

Seed Treatment :

• Not necessary.

Nursery Technique :

 

• Nursery bag saplings

 

Plantation technique :

• Two year old seedlings are planted in pits of 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm size filled with soil and FYM 10 kg/pit at a spacing of 6 m either way. Apply 50 g/pit Azospirillum before planting.

Care & Disease Control :

• Provide shade for seedlings.
• Mulch the basins with dried leaves.
• Weed the basins as and when necessary.
• Banana can be grown to provide shade during the initial establishment.  Small temporary pandals may be provided for partial shade during initial establishment.
• Irrigation should be given during summer months.
• Applying 8 litres of water either through drip or through basin during the months of January - May is beneficial.

Irrigation :

"Watering is given during summer months twice a week. "

Recommended Harvest :

• Bearing starts from sixth year onwards.
• The flower buds should be harvested when they are fully mature but before opening.
• The buds are harvested as clusters and separated and dried in the sun for five to seven days.

Yield :

• 2 - 3 kg dried buds/tree.

Major uses :

  Food:

• Cinnamon bark oil is used in meat and fast-food seasoning, sauces and pickles, baked goods, confectionery and cola-type drinks.
• The leaf oil is also used as a flavoring agent
• The bark is used to enhance the flavor of coffee.

  Medicine:

• Cinnamon bark oil is employed in dental and pharmaceutical preparations.

 

Market details :

Rs.150/Kg

Carbon stock :

0.06 tC/tree