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Acrocarpus fraxinifolius

Authority	Wight ex Arn.
Family
Synonyms
Common names
Editor
Ecocrop code	2780

Notes
DESCRIPTION: A deciduous tree reaching 20-60 m in height. The stem is cylindrical, free of branches for up to 3/4 of its total height. Even above its massive plank buttresses, it can achieve a diameter of over 200 cm. The roots penetrate up to 4.5 m into the ground. USE: The foliage can be used as fodder. It is a good source of nectar. The wood is not very durable. Optimum annual wood production is 0-10 m3/ha. It is easy to work with tools and is well suited for turnery, carving and polishing. Also used as fuel. The tree is used for erosion control on riverbanks and to stabilizing terraces, for shade, shelter and as windbreak, and for reforestation. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. In southern India the flowers appear in November-January, when the tree is leafless. The fruits ripen in April-June. COMMON NAMES: Shingle tree, Indian ash, Mandania, Handige, Havalige, Malaikonnai, Balanji, Yetama, Mayahnin. FURTHER INF: It can be found at elevations between sea level and 1500 m. The tree occur naturally within the latitudinal range of 23-27°N. Normally adapted to regions of heavy rainfall. The tree requires wide spacing. It grows best in submontane areas in the humid and subhumid tropics with a short, dry spell. It is very sensitive to frost. Rare in Sumatra and Java, where it occurs on fertile and constantly wet soils in the forest, sometimes on abandoned agricultural land. In Thailand, it occurs in evergreen gallery forest and is more frequent in India and Myanmar. It is a pioneer and demands light, but it can tolerate slight shade when young.
Sources
Webb D 1984 pp 98 [RAIN, TEMP, TEXT, PH, DRA, DEP, LIG, KTMP, USE] Roecklein J 1987 pp 452 Troup R 1921 pp 338 INSPIRE species 15 [RAIN, TEMP, TEXT, PH, DRA, DEP, LIG, KTMP, USE]