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Agroforestree database

This database provides detailed information on a total of 670 agroforestry tree species. It is intended to help field workers and researchers in selecting appropriate species for agroforestry systems and technologies.

For each species, the database includes information on identity, ecology and distribution, propagation and management, functional uses, pests and diseases and a bibliography.

This project has been funded by the British Department for International Development (DFID, the European Union and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

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Abelmoschus moschatusFibre: The bark is processed into fibre and e root mucilage as a sizing for paper.
Acacia aulacocarpaFibre: Excellent potential as a source of fibre for pulping and paper-making industries, producing one of the strongest bleached kraft pulps among acacias.
Acacia auriculiformisFibre: The wood is extensively used for paper pulp. Plantation-grown trees have been found promising for the production of unbleached kraft pulp and high-quality, neutral, sulphite semi-chemical pulp. Large-scale plantations have already been established, as in Kerala, India, for the production of pulp.
Acacia cincinnataFibre: The wood may be a suitable source of kraft pulp with high screened pulp yield (77%), high pulpwood productivity (308 kg/cubic m) and acceptable bleaching characteristics. It has excellent potential as a source for fibre pulp in papermaking industries.
Acacia crassicarpaFibre: A. crassicarpa is suitable for kraft pulping, with a moderate screened pulp yield of 47%, and excellent pulpwood productivity (300 kg per cubic metre). Fast-grown plantation wood of lower density may prove more suitable for pulp production than wood from native trees.
Acacia karrooFibre: Root bark is used for twine and rope (like in the traditional Nama mat house).
Acacia laetaFibre: Bark is used for making ropes.
Acacia leptocarpaFibre: The wood is suitable for pulp production.
Acacia leucophloeaFibre: Fibres from the inner bark are used to make fish nets and rough rope.
Acacia mangiumFibre: The pulp is readily bleached to high brightness levels and is excellent for papermaking. The neutral sulphite semi-chemical pulping of A. mangium gives yields of 61-75%. It is currently grown primarily for pulp and paper in Sabah, Sumatra and Vietnam. Wood also makes excellent particleboard.
Acacia mearnsiiFibre: The pulp productivity of A. mearnsii is about 320 kg/cubic m. Testing has shown that A. mearnsii yields a pulp with good strength characteristics and is suitable for wrapping paper and hardboard. It is also used for rayon.
Acacia nilotica subsp niloticaFibre: Young bark is used as fibre.
Acacia salignaFibre: In Tunisia the wood has been successfully processed into particleboard.
Acacia senegalFibre: The long, flexible surface roots yield a strong fibre used for cordage, ropes and fishing nets.
Acacia seyalFibre: Roots are used for making staves. The bark of A. seyal is used for making rope. The fibre has promising technological characteristics for use as particleboard.
Acacia sieberianaFibre: The bark is used to make a cordage fibre.
Adansonia digitataFibre: The bark from the lower part of the stem of younger trees and of the roots can be removed to produce a valuable fibre. If managed properly the trees are not seriously damaged, and even after repeated use the bark regenerates and can be stripped again some years later. It is used to make excellent cordage, ropes, harness straps, mats, snares and fishing lines, fibre cloth, musical instrument strings tethers, bed-springs and bow strings. In both Senegal and Ethiopia, the fibres are woven into waterproof hats that may also serve as drinking vessels. The fibre is the best for making the famous ‘kiondo’ baskets of Kenya. Strong, tough and tear-resistant paper is produced from the fibre. It is commercially exploited in India for currency notes.
Albizia proceraFibre: The chemical analysis of the wood indicates that it is a suitable material for paper pulp. Bleached pulp in satisfactory yields (50.3%) can be prepared from A. procera wood by the sulphate process. It is suitable for writing and printing paper (mean fibre length is 0.9 mm, mean fibre diameter is 0.021 mm).
Albizia versicolorFibre: The inner bark produces a fairly strong rope.
Alnus nepalensisFibre: In the Philippines, kraft pulping of wood of Alnus spp. gives a pulp yield of 47.6%, and bleaching improves the brightness to 76%. It is suitable for the manufacture of high-quality paper.
Alnus rubraFibre: The wood is used in the production of fibre based products such as tissues and writing paper.
Alstonia scholarisFibre: Bark yields a fibre, and the wood is regarded as suitable for pulp and paper production.
Anacardium occidentaleFibre: Pulp from the wood is used to fabricate corrugated and hardboard boxes.
Annona reticulataFibre: A fiber derived from the young twigs is superior to the bark fiber from Annona squamosa.
Annona senegalensisFibre: Fibre from young sucker shoots is used in binding.
Antidesma buniusFibre: The bark yields a strong fiber for rope and cordage. The timber has been experimentally pulped for making cardboard.
Araucaria cunninghamiiFibre: A. cunninghamii is directly or indirectly suitable for pulping through the use of wood residues.
Areca catechuFibre: The husk fibres are predominantly composed of cellulose with varying proportions of hemi-cellulose, lignin, pectin and protopectin. Based on various tests, it has been proposed that the husk fibre could be used in making such items as thick boards, fluffy cushions and non-woven fabrics. Trial experiments have shown that satisfactory yield and quality of brown wrapping paper could be prepared from blends of arecanut and bamboo or banana pseudostem pulp.
Arenga pinnataFibre: The leaf sheath is a source of a tough, black fibre (gomuti or yonot fibre). It is used chiefly for a durable rope tolerant of both fresh and salt water and of fire; it is used for marine work, thatching and brushes. The split petioles are used for basketry and a form of marquetry. The youngest leaves are sometimes used as cigarette paper.
Artocarpus altilisFibre: The male flower spikes are blended with fibre of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) to make elegant loincloths. The inner layer of bark, or bast, was used to make bark cloth (tapa). Traditionally it had ceremonial and ritual uses, was also used for beddings and items of clothing such as cloaks, loincloths and robes. Breadfruit bast makes good cordage with a diverse range of uses such as harnesses for water buffalo and nets for catching sharks.
Artocarpus heterophyllusFibre: The inner part of the bark or bast is occasionally made into cordage or cloth.
Artocarpus integerFibre: The bark can be used for rope making.
Artocarpus mariannensisFiber: The inner bark was once used to make bark cloth (tapa). It has also been traditionally used to make strong cordage used for fishing.
Asimina trilobaFibre: The thin fibrous inner bark has been used in making strong ropes, strings and fish nets
Azanza garckeanaFibre: Good quality rope can be made from the fibres of the inner bark.
Balanites aegyptiacaFibre: A strong fibre is obtained from the bark.
Barringtonia racemosaFibre: It has been applied in various kinds of wood-based panels such as hardboard, particleboard and blockboard, and has been used for the production of pulp. In Kenya, the bark is utilized as cordage.
Bauhinia purpureaFibre: The bark of bauhinia is used to make rope and stems of smaller lianescent species are used for binding. Some bauhinia species are used for binding. Some bauhinia species reputed for their fibre application are used medicinally as well.
Bauhinia rufescensFibre: The crude bark is used for binding. The bast fibre serves as a plaiting and binding material, and in Sudan the fibre is extracted for cordage.
Bauhinia tomentosaFibre: Trees yield a fibre suitable for making baskets.
Bauhinia variegataFibre: The bark yields a suitable fibre.
Bertholletia excelsaFibre: The bark has been used in remote regions for fibre production.
Bischofia javanicaFibre: The tree is a potential source of long fibres for pulp and paper production.
Bixa orellanaFibre: Fibre for cordage has been obtained from the bark of B. orellana.
Bombax costatumFibre: Kapok fibre is obtained from the fruit. Fibres are mainly used as filling, especially for pillows.
Borassus aethiopumFibre: The fibre extracted from the base of the leaf stalk has valuable qualities of resistance to chemicals, termites and water. Young leaves, before unfolding, can be split into strips and woven into thin mats, baskets and other household objects. The leaf midribs are used to make brooms, fish traps and nets. The leafstalk endings can be soaked in water to provide fibres that are used as sponges or filters.
Boswellia serrataFibre: B. serrata has recently come into prominence as a raw material for pulp paper and newsprint. Experiments show that writing and printing papers of suitable strength can be prepared when 25-40% long-fibred bamboo pulp is mixed in the finish. The bark can also be used for cordage.
Brachystegia spiciformisFibre: The inner bark is employed to make rope for roof ties, sacks, cloth, corn bins, beehives, and for other purposes.
Broussonetia papyriferaFibre: It has been known for almost 1500 years as a plant whose bark can be used to make paper of various grades up to the highest quality. The inner bark (bast) fibres is used for tapa (cloth) in the South Sea Islands while in Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia it is used for special paper making, such as paper napkins, lens paper, cosmetic tissue and luxurious hand-made paper. The male flower spikes of Artocarpus atilis are blended with fibre of paper mulberry to make elegant loin cloths.
Bruguiera gymnorhizaFibre: The bark is used to make ropes for fishing nets in the Marshall Islands.
Butea monospermaFibre: A coarse fibrous material obtained from the inner bark is used for cordage, caulking the seams of boats and making paper.
Byrsonima crassifoliaFibre: The bark yields a strong fiber.
Cajanus cajanFibre: On an experimental basis, C. cajan has been found to produce a pulp for paper similar to that of hardwoods, and the pulp might be suitable for making good-quality writing and printing paper. The branches and stems can be used for making baskets.
Calliandra calothyrsusFibre: The pulp and papermaking properties of C. calothyrsus are satisfactory and are comparable to dipterocarps and appropriate for kraft paper manufacture. C. calothyrsus pulp is easily bleached, but wood dimensions are generally small, making handling and chipping difficult. The wood is also suitable for pulp and papermaking and is used in Asia.
Calotropis proceraFibre: White, silky, strong, cylindrical, flexible and durable stem fibre used for various purposes, such as for making ropes, to form cheap cots, gunny bags, bow strings, fishing nets, and in the manufacture of paper, pulp and duplicating stencils. The floss from the seeds, which is about 2-3.5 cm long, white silky and strong, is used as an inferior stuffing for mattresses and pillows as well as for weaving into a strong cloth. The floss may also substitute cotton wool for surgical purposes. Strong inner bark fibres produce a binding material and are processed into fabrics.
Cananga odorataFibre: In Indonesia, they make ropes out of beaten bark.
Carapa guianensisFibre: The wood is suitable for the production of pulp and paper.
Caryota urensFibre: The sheathing leaf bases provide a strong fibre for brushes. In Sri Lanka it is used as a source of fibre resembling horsehair, kitul fibre or kitul toddy.
Casuarina cunninghamianaFibre: In Egypt, particleboard is made from the wood of C. cunninghamiana.
Casuarina equisetifoliaFibre: The wood is used to produce paper pulp using neutral sulphate and semi-chemical processes, and as a raw material for rayon fibres.
Casuarina glaucaFibre: Average fibre length for young trees is 0.97 mm; fibre is used to make a particleboard of adequate strength and stability.
Casuarina junghuhnianaFibre: The wood is suitable raw material for kraft pulp.
Cedrela odorataFibre: In Papua New Guinea, the bark has been used for twine. Kraft pulping tests give a low yield of 54%, with a Kappa number of 71 and low brightness.
Ceiba pentandraFibre: The fibre from the inner wall of the fruit is unique in that it combines springiness and resilience and is resistant to vermin, to make it ideal for stuffing pillows, mattresses and cushions. It is light, water repellent and buoyant, making it ideal for life jackets, lifeboats and other naval safety apparatus. It is an excellent material for insulating iceboxes, refrigerators, cold-storage plants, offices, theatres and aeroplanes. It is a good sound absorber and is widely used for acoustic insulation; it is indispensable in hospitals, since mattresses can be dry sterilized without losing original quality. Practically the entire supply of kapok is obtained from Java.
Celtis australisFibre: Inner bark yields a tough fibre used in ropes and for weaving mats.
Chrysophyllum cainitoFibre: Good quality paper can be obtained from C. cainito wood.
Cocos nuciferaFibre: Three types of fibres are obtained from the coconut husks: mat fibre or yarn fibre, used in making mats; bristle fibre, used for brush making; and mattress fibre, used in stuffing mattresses and in upholstery. Leaflets are used in braiding mats, baskets and hats.
Colophospermum mopaneFibre: A small fibre is said to be obtainable from the bark of some trees.
Combretum aculeatumFibre: The lianous branches are supple and are used in Kenya to make donkey panniers and wicker baskets for holding milk vessels. In Senegal, they are a part of the construction of a fish lure.
Crotalaria junceaFibre: The major significance of sunn hemp lies in its valuable fibre, which is extracted from the bark and used to make twine and cord, canvas and fishing nets, and paper and pulp. Sunn hemp fibre has greater tensile strength and is more durable under exposure than jute. It is not as strong as hemp (Cannabis sativa). The 3 main properties that make sunn hemp an excellent candidate for paper-making are 1) good yields of bleachable sulphate pulps, 2) pulp strength properties that are equal to or greater than those of mixed southern hardwood pulp, and 3) length-to-width ratio of bast fibre that is greater than that of wood fibres. Stems are composed of 2 fibres--the bast and the woody core. Bast fibres, located in the outer bark, are much longer than the core fibres, but the 2 fibre widths are similar. The proportion of bark in the total stalk by dry weight ranges from 15% to 20%. Sunn hemp fibre is used in twine, rug yarn, cigarette and tissue papers, fishnets, sacking, canvas and cordage. Fibre is stronger when wet; it is fairly resistant to mildew, moisture and microorganisms in salt water.
Crotalaria trichotomaFibre: Bark contains fibre that can be used for cordage.
Dalbergia sissooFibre: Sulphate pulp from wood is used in producing writing and printing paper.
Dichrostachys cinereaFibre: The bark yields a strong fibre used for various applications such as twine. The debarked roots are used for strong plaiting work such as for racks and baskets.
Didymopanax morototoniFibre: The use of D. morototoni in the pulp and paper industry is increasing.
Dipterocarpus grandiflorusFibre: It is used as pulp for paper production.
Entada africanaFibre: Bast fibres are used for ropes and bands; the bark of the root and stem yields a long fibre used for cordage, commonly for roof binding and grass matting.
Enterolobium cyclocarpumFibre: The wood of E. cyclocarpum has been found excellent for producing quality paper.
Erythrina indicaFibre: the bark is stringy and provides a strong fibre that is used in rope making.
Erythrina variegataFibre: The wood has been tested as a source of pulp for the paper industry. The fiber is acceptable for pulping, having good length, high flexibility and slenderness ratio and low Rankel's ratio.
Eucalyptus camaldulensisFibre: E. camaldulensis is used for pulp and paper production. It is also planted for hardboard, fibreboard and particleboard.
Eucalyptus citriodoraFibre: The tree is planted as one of the better eucalypts for producing pulp in low-altitude areas of tropical and subtropical regions.
Eucalyptus degluptaFibre: Around the world most E. deglupta plantations are meant for pulp production. The wood makes a strong sulphate pulp that can be bleached to a high brightness. Kraft pulping of E. deglupta wood gives a yield of 50%, and a pulp of good brightness and satisfactory handsheet strength properties. The wood is also used for particleboard, hardboard and wood-wool board.
Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulusFibre: It is one of the better Eucalyptus species for papermaking and is widely used for pulp. In Spain, a good quality pulp, mostly bleached, is made from the sulphite, sulphate or bisulphite process. Important fibre products include fibreboard and particleboard.
Eucalyptus grandisFibre: E. grandis has been used for manufacturing sulphate pulp, for example in Brazil, Uruguay, South Africa and Angola.
Eucalyptus nitensFibre: Wood from E. nitens is widely used for pulp and paper.
Eucalyptus robustaFibre: The timber is used for pulpwood, but the pulp is dark reddish-brown and is not as good for this purpose as some other species of Eucalyptus. The bark must be removed from the stem before pulping. A comparison of the characteristics of E. robusta wood and kraft pulps with those of E. saligna shows that E. robusta can be used as a complementary raw material in commercial-scale pulp production.
Eucalyptus salignaFibre: Young, fast-grown trees are used for semi-chemical pulp. However, when E. saligna is grown slowly, the heartwood may become difficult to process.
Eucalyptus tereticornisFibre: In India, the most important use of E. tereticornis is for its good quality pulp and paper. The strength properties of the paper improve after the tree reaches 9 years of age, but the dark colour of the heartwood, in comparison with some other Eucalyptus species, is a disadvantage. It is also used for hardboard, fibreboard and particleboard.
Eucalyptus urophyllaFibre: E. urophylla is particularly suitable as a source of mid-density to low-density eucalypt fibre for pulp and paper production.
Ficus glumosaFibre: Cloth is made from the bark in Sudan.
Ficus sycomorusFibre: Inner part of the root used as weaving fibre, and a strong rope can be made from the inner bark.
Ficus thonningiiFibre: Bark cloth is obtained by cutting out a strip or cylinder of bark, which causes the tree to produce a fine, matted covering of red, slender roots over the wound. Bark fibre is used for making mats; the twined bark produces a strong rope, which is mostly used for fastening bundles of firewood before they are carried to the homestead for fastening slates onto a roof.
Genipa americanaFibre: It yields a fiber employed in making rough clothing
Gmelina arboreaFibre: The wood produces good-quality pulp. Unmixed semi-chemical pulp is suitable only for carton board or low-grade writing paper, but kraft pulp of yemane wood is suitable for higher grades of writing paper. It is also utilized for particle board.
Gnetum costatumFibre: The inner bark provides a fibre which is used for making string bags known as 'bilum'. A similar fibre is also extracted from other Gnetum species, that of G. gnemon being most commonly used.
Gnetum gnemonFibre: Its bast fibers provide durable cordage for fishing nets, lines, string bags and other durable tools. A potential economic use of this plant is the utilisation of its bark in rope making.
Grevillea robustaFibre: Mean fibre length is about 1.5 mm and width about 26 µm; the wood is suitable for pulping.
Grewia asiaticaFibre: The fibrous bark is made into ropes.
Grewia bicolorFibre: Bark fibres can be stripped and used for string, rope and cordage.
Grewia optivaFibre: The bark yields a fibre that is used for cordage and clothing.
Grewia tenaxFiber: The bark is used to make ropes and for binding purposes in house construction.
Guazuma ulmifoliaFibre: The tough, fibrous bark and young stems are used to make rope and twine.
Hardwickia binataFibre: The bark yields a strong fibre largely employed for making ropes.
Hevea brasiliensisFibre: Offcuts and other rubberwood residues have been used successfully in Malaysia for the production of particle board, wood-cement board, and medium-density fibreboard.
Hibiscus sabdariffaFibre: Roselle is cultivated primarily for the bast fiber obtained from the stems. The fiber strands, up to 1.5 m long, are used for cordage and as a substitute for jute in the manufacture of burlap.
Hyphaene thebaicaFibre: Leaves are probably the most important part of the palm, providing the raw material used in basketry, making mats, brooms, coarse textiles, ropes, thatching and string. Root fibres obtained after 2-3 days of soaking and beating of the roots are used for making fishing nets.
Juniperus proceraFibre: The wood is suitable for making hardboard and particleboard.
Khaya senegalensisFibre: The wood is used in West Africa for pulp.
Lawsonia inermisFibre: In Turkana, Kenya, the stems are used for making fishing baskets.
Leucaena diversifoliaFibre: The pulp is desirable for paper production.
Leucaena leucocephalaFibre: Fibre values are similar to those of other tropical hardwoods, and it produces paper with good printability but low tearing and folding strength; the wood-pulp strength is greater than that of most hardwoods, with almost 50% greater ring crush. Its pulping properties are suitable for both paper and rayon production. Also used for particleboard production.
Liquidambar styracifluaFibre: Pulp and particleboard are obtainable from yellow gum.
Macaranga tanariusFibre: Macaranga yields a high-quality pulp and produces high-quality particleboard.
Maesopsis eminiiFibre: Sometimes cultivated for fibre.
Mallotus philippensisFibre: The wood is suitable for paper pulp. The fibrous bark is used to make rope and artificial fur.
Melaleuca quinquenerviaFibre: The wood has been widely used as a source of pulp.
Metroxylon saguFibre: Processing of the pith to yield starch produces a fibre. The leaves also yield a fibre, which may be used for mats.
Mimosa scabrellaFibre: M. scabrella fibre is approximately 1.2 mm long, and its pulp is good enough to use in the manufacture of printing and writing papers.
Moringa oleiferaFibre: Bark, when beaten, produces a fibre used to make small ropes and mats. A study on the production of rayon-grade pulp from M. oleifera by a prehydrolyzed sulphate process in India shows that it is suitable as a raw material for the production of high alpha cellulose pulp for use in cellophane and textiles.
Morus albaFibre: Wood yields sulphate pulp with satisfactory strength for white writing and printing paper; bark is worked in to paper pulp and fibre is suitable for the textile industry.
Morus nigraFibre: In Japan, a textile fibre is extracted from the bark.
Orbignya phalerataFibre: The leaves are used for roofing and fibers for basketry, tapestry and nets.
Osyris lanceolataFibre: The root fibres are used in basketry.
Ougeinia dalbergioidesFibre: Bark fibers are suitable for making rope.
Paraserianthes falcatariaFibre: P. falcataria trees coppice fairly well, an advantage for pulpwood production. The wood is suitable for pulping and papermaking. It can be used to produce good-quality pulp by mechanical, semi-chemical or chemical processes. Because of its light colour, only a little bleaching is required to achieve good white paper. The neutral, semi-chemical process produces pulp with excellent strength properties. It has also been used for the manufacture of viscose rayon.
Parkia biglobosaFibre: Pods and roots are used as sponges and as strings for musical instruments.
Parkia speciosaFibre: The wood is used in the manufacture of paper.
Paulownia imperialisFibre: P. imperialis yields an excellent chemical pulp of a quality far superior to that of other fast-growing, broadleaved tree species.
Paulownia tomentosaFibre: Its rapid early growth has attracted the interest of the paper industry.
Pausinystalia johimbeFibre: The inner bark is utilized as straps for hunting panniers.
Phoenix dactyliferaFibre: The leaves are used in mats, ropes, fans and baskets; the petiole yields a fibre, which together with other suitable material is used for insulating boards.
Phoenix reclinataFibre: Mats, rope, baskets and string can be made from the fibres of young, unexpanded leaves in immature palms, while the midribs of mature leaves are used to make baskets and roofing material. Fibres from the stem are made into brushes and brooms, and in the Cape region of South Africa, leaves are used in making the kilts of Xhosa boys taking part in initiation ceremonies.
Piliostigma malabaricumFibre: The bark fibre is used to make rope.
Piliostigma thonningiiFibre: The inner bark is used to make rope.
Pinus caribaeaFibre: The presence of long tracheids makes P. caribaea (and other pines) a good source of wood pulp. Plantations at 15 years are ideal for pulpwood production. The tree is used in Nicaragua and Honduras for general-purpose pulpwood. Wood pulp is also used for the manufacture of particleboard, fibreboard and chipboard.
Pinus kesiyaFibre: It is used for the manufacture of particle board and pulp, but its usefulness depends on the quality of the wood.
Pinus patulaFibre: The species is used in the commercial manufacture of pulp, for example in the Usutu Paper Mill in Swaziland and in several mills in South Africa.
Pongamia pinnataFibre: The bark fibre is made into string, twine or rope, and the wood provides paper pulp.
Populus ciliataFibre: P. ciliata provides paper for writing, wrapping and printing.
Populus deltoidesFibre: A good fibre and pulp is obtainable from P. deltoides.
Populus euphraticaFibre: P. euphratica holds excellent promise as a source of fibre for various grades of paper, fine paper, packing paper and newsprint.
Prosopis chilensisFibre: Wood yields sulphate pulp for writing and printing works.
Prosopis julifloraFibre: There is a large potential for P. juliflora as a source for fibre in the production of paper, paperboard and hardboard.
Pueraria montanaFibre: The stem fibres are used for binding (ropes), weaving (clothes, fishing lines, baskets) and for paper production.
Rauvolfia vomitoriaFibre: R.vomitoria bark yields a good bast fibre.
Ricinodendron heudelotiiFibre: R. heudelotii is perhaps suitable for paper pulp.
Robinia pseudoacaciaFibre: R. pseudoacacia is a preferred wood for pulp production.
Salix babylonicaFibre: S. babylonica is a source of pulpwood and produces good quality newsprint paper also used for wrapping papers and high grade Kraft paper. Branches are used for basket making.
Schima wallichiiFibre: Wood is suitable for paper pulp.
Schinziophyton rautaneniiFibre: The inner bark is used in making string for nets.
Sclerocarya birrea ssp. caffraFibre: A relatively good quality rope can be made from the inner bark.
Securidaca longepedunculataFibre: Fine quality fibre is obtained from inner bark of the straight, annual shoots, which when retted could possibly be useful for flaxlike textiles. Much appreciated locally in western, central and southern Africa because of its long, durable and tough fibres. Used for making string and rope for fishing net and lines, bird and animal snares, for thread to sew bark cloth and as bead string for necklaces.
Sesbania bispinosaFibre: The fibre is said to be very useful and durable when used in water-related activities. In Bengal, fishing nets and ropes are made from this fibre. In durability and strength, it is reputed to be even superior to jute fibre. It can also be a good source of pulp and paper.
Sesbania grandifloraFibre: At a very short rotation of 3-4 years, S. grandiflora is capable of producing much higher cellulose raw material per unit area than most other pulp woods. Even trees 3-4 years old can be pulped without debarking and are suitable for chemical pulping for use as cheap printing, writing, magazine and newsprint paper. The fibres are short. Fibre can also be blended with long-fibred bamboo pulp in suitable proportions to give good strength. On a 3-year rotation, about 41 t/ha per year of pulp can be harvested.
Sesbania sesbanFibre: S. sesban is used for making ropes and fishnet and has potential for pulpwood production.
Shorea javanicaFibre: The wood is satisfactorily used for pulp in the manufacture of paper.
Spondias mombinFibre: Its hardness, density and light colour make it useful for wood pulp. The resulting paper has good resistance to tension and tearing but a poor reaction to folding.
Sterculia foetidaFibre: Cord is made from the bark fibre.
Sterculia urensFibre: The bark can be stripped off easily and yields a useful fibre suitable for making coarse cloth and bud ropes.
Syzygium jambosFibre: The flexible branches have been employed in Puerto Rico to make hoops for large sugar casks, and also are valued for weaving large baskets.
Tamarix aphyllaFibre: The wood chips easily with little dust being produced. Chips are of good quality and colour, suitable for manufacture of particleboard. Twigs are used for basket making.
Terminalia superbaFibre: T. superba has potential importance in paper making, offering the capability of producing a relatively wide range of pulps. The fibre has a flexibility factor of 70-79%, high values that suggest good tear-and-burst strength. The yield of raw chemical alkaline pulp is 40-50%, depending on the degree of lignification. The wood may be used in the manufacture of cellulose, panelling and also as particle boards.
Thespesia populneaFibre: Bark yields a strong fibre used for cordage, fishing lines, coffee bags and for caulking boats.
Treculia africanaFibre: The wood is suitable for pulp and papermaking.
Trema orientalisFibre: An appropriate tropical hardwood for paper and pulp production. Paper made from T. orientalis has good tensile strength and folding endurance. The bark is made into ropes, which are also employed as waterproof fishing lines in Tanzania.
Triplochiton scleroxylonFibre: Although the main uses of T. scleroxylon are as timber, the wood is also used for fibreboard and particleboard.
Vitex negundoFibre: Branches and twigs are used in basket making.