| TEAK
PLANTATIONS
Teak is known to perform well in plantations under favorable
conditions. In this characteristic it contrasts with some
of the more commercially known and valuable tropical hardwood
species. For example, many of the species that make up the
timber wealth of the African tropical forests (e.g. species
of the Meliaceae family, the African mahoganies Khaya ivorensis,
K. anthoteca and K. grandi-folia, and Entandophragma spp.)
have proved unamenable to growing in plantations for reasons
such as exceedingly slow growth, susceptibility to mortality
in establishment on cleared land (being climax rather than
pioneer species) or vulnerability to pests and diseases. Mahogany
(Swietenia macro-phylla) is one of the few other luxury hardwoods
that is extensively grown in plantations. It seems likely
that there will be a significant divergence in future timber
supply potential between those species amenable to plantation
and those largely dependent on an established natural forest
habitat.
Mixed plantations of teak with other tree species are generally
less susceptible than pure teak plantations to soil erosion
and pest and disease risks. Pure teak plantations are susceptible
to defoliating pests, particularly when understorey growth
is suppressed and site conditions are suboptimal. Teak begins
flowering and seeding at a young age, about 20 years from
seedling and about ten years from coppice
Teak is relative to other species is easily established in
plantations and because of the enduring global demand for
products from teak it has good prospects as a plantation species.
These prospects are boosted by the rapidly developing trend
of replacing lumber with reconstituted panels (Loke, 1996).
Sliced veneer of teak as a lay-on for reconstituted panels
is assured of a demand for its value in enhancing the potential
for panels to substitute for lumber in a widening variety
of applications.
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