Vanuatu To Host Big Tree Business

March 17, 2010 - PRLog -- International forestation company, EC02, aims to plant 3.3. million kiri (paulonia) trees over 20,000 acres of land on the tropical island of Malekula, Vanuatu, in the South Pacific.

Creating jobs, providing economical and social stability to an area that sadly lacks even the basics of schools and providing medical care and shops, is highly commendable.

The fast growing Kiri trees are being claimed as being ‘the new timber tree of the 21st century’. China, the origin of these ‘fantastic’ trees, has 1,300,000 hectares of Kiri forest.

The kiri tree can grow-up to 20 feet in height in just five months, if fertilized, which equates to two feet a week. They can be cut for pulp in one year, or timber in 3 to 5 years. Trees can grow to a height of 60-80 feet.

The growing area needs to be well drained, weed free, have lots of sunlight and must be free from strong winds. Round-Up is used to control weeds around young plants.

However, Kiri trees are subject to caterpillars, which can severely destroy the plants, if they eat the growing tips of the young trees. Planters mix Carbaryl Liquid, a highly toxic insecticide, must be regularly applied along with a small amount of dish washing liquid, so it will stick to the leaves.

Kiri trees belong to the begonia family, with the large broad leaves being subject to damage. Strip the tree of its leaves and it becomes dead wood. Depending on the stage the tree is at, determines whether or not the timber is able to be harvested.

To obtain tall straight timber it is essential that all lateral growth be pinched out, usually to a height of 25 feet. Great care must be taken not to destroy the large leaves of the tree.

Kiri trees are deciduous, shedding its leaves annually and becoming totally dormant during the winter months. The leaves, which are rich in nitrogen, serve as good fertilizer and fodder.

The wood is light in weight and colour, strong, dries easily, has a beautiful grain, stains well, does not warp, crack, or deform easily, being resistant to rot. The wood is said to be resistant to fire. It is easy to work the timber making it suitable for use as furniture, plywood, moldings and doors, boats and harps.

During spring the air is filled with the fragrance of the large petalled flowers. For one month each year, a sweet, light and very unique honey can be harvested.

When Kiri trees are harvested, a new tree grows up in its place, from the root of the old tree. Once planted in an area, there will be kiri trees there forever, unless the deep root system can be fully removed.

About Vanuatu To Host Big Tree Business
The tropical island nation of Vanuatu is to become the host to thousnads of the fast growing kiri(paulonia trees). For more information:http://www.tropicpost.com/big-business-comes-to-vanuatu/
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