Fazenda Vallas - Our Trees

Fazenda Vallas

A BRAZILIAN TROPICAL TREE PLANTATION


Our Trees

Eucalyptus seedlings ready for transport.		Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla) A fast-growing tree that can reach 45 m in height and up to 2 meters in diameter, this tree is usually harvested at diameters less than 40 cm. There are over 500 species of eucalyptus and although eucalyptus trees are generally thought of being native to Australia, E. urophylla naturally occurs on only seven islands in eastern Indonesia at altitudes that range from 180 m to 3000 m. The species was first introduced to Brazil in 1919. E. urophylla has good coppicing ability and as long as the root is left in tact, the tree will grow back producing up to 3 harvests. Eucalyptus is one of the most commercially important forest species in the world and is widely planted in tropical and subtropical locations for the production of timber, paper pulp and charcoal. In Western Bahia, the trees can usually be harvested after 5 years to produce fuelwood or charcoal for local industries.

Guanandi seedling		Guanandi (Calophyllum brasiliense) Also known in Brazil as Jacareuba, this tree is a medium to large-sized tropical evergreen whose wood is more commonly referred to in English as Santa Maria. The guanandi is native to Brazil and occurs naturally from Mexico to southeastern Brazil, although its distribution is discontinuous. The tree typically reaches a height of 20-30 meters with a straight and cylindrical to conical trunk and a dense rounded crown. The trunk height ranges from 8 to 12 meters and the diameter at breast height averages 40-60 cm, but diameters up to 130 cm have been recorded. Its small fragrant flowers appear at the beginning of the rainy season and within a few months the tree produces an abundance of fruit which serves as an important food item for wildlife. Today, this valuable wood is one of the most utilized of all South American timber species and is being promoted by the government as an alternative to mahogany (which is still being illegal removed from the rain forest...read more). Guanandi is used for boat building, beautiful furniture, musical instruments, cabinetry, decorative and figured veneer, parquet, interior moldings and excellent flooring.

Acacia on Fazenda Vallas.		Others We are currently testing the commercial viability of acacia (Acacia mangium), mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), Brazilian rosewood cherry (Dalbergia nigra), balsa (Ochroma pyramidale), and teak (Tectona grandis). We are also looking into the physic or Barbados nut (Jatropha curcas) which is a tree whose seed produces oil for biodiesel and Neem (Azadirachta indica) which has a whole range of uses from medicinal to pest control. Feel free to contact us to discuss our experience with various trees.