High Value Exotic Woods
Native trees are the ones that have adapted to the soil conditions, climate and altitude of a given location. One of our missions is to not just plant native tree species, but to also develop technical profiles for them. Being local, they obviously have some advantages, but it is more than that. They also provide habitat for local wildlife, places to nest and fruits to eat. Many native tree species are threatened, due to past uncontrolled logging, such as the Congrio (Acosmium nitens) and the Sassafras (Ocotea cymbarum). By cultivating these species we provide an alternative source to their being logged in natural forests, while also ensuring that the species is being preserved. Commercializing a tree species makes good sense as a conservation strategy, and allows us to one day become a seedbank for that species, while the technical profile we developed encourages other plantations to cultivate those trees. We are passionate about planting native trees.
Amazing Wood Properties
One of the things that make native trees special is that their wood has amazing properties not shared by introduced plantation tree species. The Congrio (Acosmium nitens) has a very dense wood that is rot proof in contact with the soil and termite resistant. The Aceite (Copaifera pubiflora) has fine wood, but also produces an oil that is medicinal or can be used as a biofuel. The Simarru (Simarouba amara) is not dense, but termite resistant, so a favourite of local carpenters making fine furniture. The Saladillo blanco (Vochysia lehmanii) is a perfect forestry tree with a straight trunk and easy to work wood, popular for many general carpentry uses.
- Sassafras (Ocotea cymbarum) has valuable fragrant wood.
- Alcornoco (Bowdichia virgiliodes) is rot resistant and decorative.
- Saladillo rojo (Caraipa llanorum) has a beautiful red wood.
- Algarrobo (Hymanea courbaril) is an excellent lumber tree and medicinal.
- Cachicamo (Calophyllum lucidum) has fine-grained wood, resin and latex.
