Profitable Fast Growing Trees - Gmelina arborea, Melia Dubia, Bamboo, Casuarina

With thousands of tree species growing worldwide, only a small number are considered valuable to the commercial timber industry.

Fast Growing Timber Trees:

1. Gmelina arborea (Kumil, Kumula maram in Tamil):

Gmelina arborea is a fast growing tree. It is used in constructions, furniture, carriages, sports, musical instruments and artificial limbs. It can grow moderate to large height up to 30 m with girth of 1.2 to 4. It can be harvested in 8-10 years.
Gmelina Arborea ( Kumil, White teak, Gamar)
Gmelina Arborea( Kumil , Sagwan) Pictures

2. Melia dubia - (Malai Vembu in Tamil):

Melia Dubia is fast growing tree and it can be cultivated in all types of soil and requiring a low supply of water. Melia dubia has the unique feature of growing to 40 feet within 2 years from planting and can be mechanically pruned and harvested. It is used in plywood, match industries. Melia dubia (Malai Vembu)

Trees for Industries:

1) Match Industries:
1. Ailanthus excelsa - Indian Tree of Heaven (Perumaram, Pee maram, in Tamil):
Indian Tree of Heaven is a large deciduous tree, 18-25 m tall trunk straight. Mainly used in match box industry and also Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Musical instruments, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Tool handles. Need less irrigation and suitable for all soil types.

2) Paper Industries:

1. Casuarina junghuhniana - (savukku in Tamil):
Casuarina is a fast growing and adoptable for any soil types. Mainly used in paper industries. It can be harvested after 3.5 years.










2. Bamboo (Bambusa nutans, B. Bamboos, B. tulda, B. vulgaris, B. Balcooa)

Bamboo is the world's fastest growing plant and some species of bamboo can grow up to a foot a day in the right conditions. It can be cultivated in all type of soils with sufficient water irrigation facility. Now bamboo can be cultivated in tissue culture sapling which will give 5 times more density. After the year 4, bamboo can be harvested 20-60 tons/acres for 60 years.

3) Bio mass Industries:

1. Melia dubia - (Malai Vembu in Tamil):
As an energy crop, Melia dubia has the potential of yielding in excess 40 tons of biomass on average per acre per annum over a 10 year period (before replanting is required). It’s high calorific value makes it a viable source of feedstock for biomass power plants.

2.  Bamboo (Bambusa nutans, B. Bamboos, B. tulda, B. vulgaris, B. Balcooa):
Its high yield makes it usable in biomass industries.

The following trees are not comes under fast growing category, but they are having strong timber values. Those trees will take minimum of 30 to 40 years to maturity.

1.Tectona grandis -  Teak.

2. Haldinia Cardifolia (Manja Kadambu in Tamil ).

3. Rose wood.

4. Pterocarpus santalinus -( Red Sanders, Sivappu Santhanam in Tamil).

5. Pterocarpus marsupium - (Indian Kino Tree,  Vengai in Tamil).

6. Santalum album -  (Sandal wood ,Santhana maram in Tamil).

7. Thespesia populnea - (Poovarasu in Tamil).

8. Hardwickia binnata - (Aachaa in Tamil).

Points to be considered for cultivation:

Tree cultivation combines of both science and care. Here with some points in tree plantation.

These are the things to keep in mind before going for tree cultivation.

1. Select trees according to your land type, irrigation facilities and maintenance (after care)

2. Do Soil Test and water analysis and select trees that suits your soil type and water quality.

3. Spacing of trees.
Trees are  prefer to grow in many ways .so our effort would be not only to cover more area for tree plantation but also to plant more trees in a given area.
There are two aspects of tree space: above and below the ground. The above ground space is more obvious for ex.  Tall trees should not be placed where high tension wires are running overhead. Underground space is also as important and medium sized trees should be planted at least at a distance of 4 meters from each other and bigger ones at 8 meters from each other and 5 meters away from buildings foundations.

4. Time of planting
The period of planting depends upon the species, region, availability of irrigation facilities, rainfall of the region, etc. Winter is the best time for planting deciduous trees as they are dormant at this period and hence less likely to suffer from damage. For evergreen and semi-deciduous trees, rainy season is the best time for planting. Trees may be planted during the following periods:
During spring: That is January and February. At this time all the factors (especially the temperature), required for tree growth are present. Thus, this is a good time for young saplings to be planted.
At the onset of Monsoons: For most species and most areas, planting is carried out during monsoons. It is advisable to start planting work immediately after a good shower and when the ground is well moistened to the depth of planting. Thereafter any delay should be treated as loss of growing season.

5. After care.

The saplings need to be watered regularly, protected from cattle and pests and insects, given manure. Pruning will make trees more increase vigor, health and increase the value of timber.

6. Select plant species.

7. Inter cropping or mixed cropping.

8. Have knowledge of different trees.

9. Carbon credit
Carbon finance facilitates the financial reward through carbon credits for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by emitters in developing countries. Activities of the World Bank Carbon Finance Unit (CFU) are part of the larger global effort to combat climate change, and are aligned with the World Bank and its Environment Department's mission to reduce poverty and improve living standards in the developing world.

So we will start our green planet from today ..,