There are several types of tropical trees that do well in the soil and weather conditions of the llanos or plains of Colombia. Our preferred plantation tree is the Acacia mangium. It produces a beautiful, commercially popular hardwood in under 10 years, that is good for furniture, floors, decking and other applications. In some places it is being marketed as white teak. The tree also produces a fruit that is very high in protein.
A tree that is marketed in Europe, but is almost unknown in North America despite its wood's mahogany like beauty is the Saladillo rojo or Caraipa llanorum. This hardwood has been used by local Indios for millenia and by modern campesinos or farmers for a variety of applications, including buildings and furniture. The same goes for Congrio or Acosmium nitens, a fast growing and extremely strong wood useful for heavy construction.
Other plantation trees we are planting include Eucalyptus or Eucalyptus pellita and Pino caribe or Pinus caribaea. The land is also suitable for plantations of cashew or Anacardium occidentale. We are planting fruit trees as well, because the birds and animals love them. Visit our gallery to see pictures of these tropical trees.
Some common trees that grow wild in Vichada include Sassafras or Ocotea cymbarum , Cedro or Cedrela spp, the Aceite or Calophyllum mariae, the Saladillo blanco or Vochysia obscura, and the Arenillo or Qualea rosea, to name a very few. Many of the wild trees of the llanos have medicinal properties used by indigenous peoples and by pharmaceutical firms.
Seedlings in the Nursery
Reforestation starts in the tree nursery. Once a seedling is established (10 to 12 weeks) it is planted in the llanos in mid-rainy season, to set roots before the dry season. Trees are not farmed but ranched. Every tree is inspected once a month. If a tree is leaning cords straighten it. Undergrowth is cleared by hand with a machete, as powertools can damage the trees, affecting their lumber value. See our gallery for tree nursery images. Some 1,200 trees can be planted per hectare, by placing them about 2.80 meters or 10 feet apart. Trees are planted in a grid, helping to control undergrowth and brush or forest fires.
