| BRIEF DESCRIPTION A deciduous tree or erect shrub reaching 10-35 m in height with a deep taproot, pale bark and broadly umbrelliform crown. Young trees and lower branches are armed with thorns. USES The bark can be extracted for tanning used in the leather industry. The bark is also used to prepare a beverage (arak) and its fibres are used for fishing nets. The wood is used for indoor constructions, furniture, firewood and charcoal. The germinated seeds can be consumed cooked and the stem and roots produce a gum with medicinal properties. Pods and foliage are used as fodder. The tree is also planted for soil improvement and fire protection. It is mentioned as a possible agroforestry species. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. The leafs fall for a short period at the beginning of the rainy season and the tree flower at the end of the rainy season. COMMON NAMES Pilang, Opilan, Pelang, Ta-noung, Chalaep daeng, Phayaa mai, A bu, A kawa. FURTHER INF Pilang is native to large parts of South and South-East Asia. It occurs in regions with a pronounced East Monsoon at elevations between sea level and 550 m. It need good space to develop into a mature tree. Bark production for tanning may be 8-80 kg/tree, whereas the wood production may be about 15m3/ha (whole tree), 11 m3/ha (thick wood) and 9 m3/ha (clear bole). (pH & TEMP estimated by the compiler). |
