| Teak
(Tectona grandis):
is considered one of the most valuable woods for plantations.
It has been grown for more than 100's of years, and is a
mainstay for many plantations. It is considered a very valuable
wood due to its ability to withstand inclement weather.
It even prevents any metal used in it from rusting. Teak
is very stable, which means that it does not warp when subjected
to variations in humidity and temperature. Teak requires
very good drainage and a rich soil. It prefers a dry season
of about three months.
| The
Nilambur Teak is unique for its quality and
is world famous for its golden yellow colour
and beautiful grains |
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| In
an auction conducted on Februrary 3, 2005, at
the Timber Sales Division in Palakkad Circle,
one log of Nilambur teak fetched an amount of
Rs. 2,33,539 i.e. Rs. 90,100 per cubic meter. |
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| High
quality teak is available at Walayar, Parambikulam,
Malayatoor and Ranni. Teak conjures up images
of elegance, class, grandeur, durability, antiquity,
grace and strength. |
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Planting:
Teak is usually planted when the seedlings or clones are
four to six weeks old and is planted at a distance of six
feet each.
Teak grows amazingly fast, particularly for a hardwood.
Teak rapidly puts on height as well as diameter. After the
trees start gaining height, one must prune the lower branches.
The most valuable trees are those that grow straight and
tall with no limbs in the trunk area. By pruning away all
except the top 1/3 of the branches, you create superior
wood. Because teak grows so fast, the plantation needs a
lot of attention for the first three years.
Teak produces between 12 to 26 cubic meters in volume of
wood per year. The price for teak has been going up steadily
for many years, at a rate consistently over 6% per year.
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Bamboo
(Bambusa bambos)
Indian Name - Bans
The bamboo is a perennial tree which grows upto a height
of 12 meters .Every year between July and October, new shoots
sprout at the base of the tree. Bamboo trees are always
found in clusters. The stem of the tree is round, smooth
and hollow. Nodes are swollen. Bamboo is presumed to have
originated in Asia. The tree grows wild throughout most
parts of India, especially in the hilly forests of western
and southern India but it is cultivated in the lower Himalayas.
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Properties :-
The leaves of bamboo trees are stimulant and aromatic. They
are useful in counteracting spasmodic disorders, and arrest
secretion or bleeding. They are also an effective aphrodisiac.
The leaves do not have any prominent taste.
Bamboo
Facts
·
Bamboo is a tree-like woody
plant.
· There are
1 250 known species of
bamboo.
· Some bamboos
live over 100 years.
· There are
over 1500 possible uses.
· The
local usage of bamboo is worth US$2.7
billion.
· Trade in bamboo
generates US$4.5 billion.
· 2.5 billion
people worldwide use bamboo.
· One billion
people live in bamboo houses.
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