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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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Acacia aneuraGum or resin: Australian aborigines use the resinous phyllodes of A. aneura as an adhesive resin.
Acacia catechuGum or resin: The bark exudes a light gum of very good quality and is one of the best substitutes for gum arabic.
Acacia karrooGum or resin: A. karroo gum is used regionally in southern Africa as a substitute for gum arabic. It cannot be exported to Europe or the USA because it has not been cleared for toxins. Annual production is 25-30 t/ha.
Acacia lahaiGum or resin: An edible gum is collected from A. lahai.
Acacia leucophloeaGum or resin: A water-soluble gum of fair quality can be extracted from the stem and root bark.
Acacia nilotica subsp niloticaGum or resin: A. nilotica ssp. nilotica is probably the earliest source of gum arabic, although this now comes mainly from A. senegal. The gum tapped from the bark is used in manufacturing matches, inks, paints and confectionery.
Acacia salignaGum or resin: The damaged bark exudes copious amounts of a very acidic gum that shows exceptional promise for use in pickles and other acidic foodstuff.
Acacia senegalGum or resin: Gum arabic exudes from the duct of the inner bark; it is tapped in the hot season (May-June) when the trees are stressed. Tapping begins when trees are 4-5 years old. It commences after leaf fall and ceases during the colder months of the d
Acacia seyalGum or resin: A. seyal gum (talha gum) is darker and inferior in quality to that of A. senegal (gum arabic). However, it forms 10% of the Sudanese gum exported to India and Europe. The gum is edible when fresh, with a slightly acidic taste. Talha does no
Acacia sieberianaGum or resin: The tree yields a gum of good quality that has been used to make ink.
Acrocarpus fraxinifoliusGum or resin: The wood exudes a gumlike resin when the trees are felled.
Adansonia digitataGum or resin: Glue can be made by mixing flower pollen with water.
Aegle marmelosGum or Resins: The gum enveloping the seeds is most abundant in wild fruits and especially when they are unripe. It is commonly used as a household glue and is employed as an adhesive by jewelers. Sometimes it is resorted to as a soap-substitute. It is mi
Agathis macrophyllaGum or resin: Manila copal produced from the living inner bark was used in varnishes and is still used mixed with synthetics. The resin is traditionally used as canoe caulk, for lighting and torches, for glazing pots; and the resin soot was used for tatto
Agathis philippinensisGum or resin: The species is tapped for its resin (traded as Manila copal).
Ailanthus altissimaGum or resin: The bark contains oleoresin, resin, and mucilage.
Ailanthus excelsaGum or resin: The bark yields a gum of inferior quality.
Ailanthus triphysaGum or resin: A gum is obtained from stem cuttings of A. triphysa.
Albizia adianthifoliaGum or resin: A. adianthifolia produces a sweet smelling gum of somehow inferior quality.
Albizia chinensisGum or resin: A gum of low quality is extracted from the bark, which has been mixed with other gums and used as an extender.
Albizia gummiferaGum or resin: Despite its name, the tree yields little amounts of gum when its bark is cut.
Albizia lebbeckGum or resin: The trunk yields a reddish gum that is used as an adulterant of gum arabic.
Albizia odoratissimaGum or resin: The tree produces an insoluble gum which is mixed with other gums and used as an extender.
Albizia proceraGum or resin: When injured, the stem exudes large amounts of a reddish-brown gum that is chemically similar to, and used as a substitute for, gum arabic.
Albizia samanGum or resin: The bark is an abundant source of gums and resins.
Albizia zygiaGum or resin: A viscous gum from A. zygia can be used as a stabilizer in ice-cream.
Altingia excelsaGum or resin: The tree produces an aromatic resin, called ‘getah malai’, which is used as incense.
Anacardium occidentaleGum or resin: The bark contains an acrid sap of thick brown resin, which becomes black on exposure to air. This is used as indelible ink in marking and printing linens and cottons. The resin is also used as a varnish, a preservative for fishnets and a fl
Anogeissus latifoliaGum or resin: Ghatty gum tapped from A. latifolia is a good substitute for gum arabic and is used in calico printing, for sweetmeats, in dye processes, and as a binding agent in pharmaceuticals.
Artocarpus altilisGum or resin: A. altilis gum is used to caulk canoes to make them watertight and can be used as an adhesive to seal and prepare wooden surfaces for painting.
Artocarpus heterophyllusGum or resin: The latex yields 71.8% resin, consisting of 63.3% fluavilles (yellow) and 8.5% albanes (white). These resins may be valuable in varnishes.
Artocarpus integerGum or resin: A resin exudate from the tree is used as a varnishing material and as birdlime.
Artocarpus mariannensisGum or resin: The sticky white latex is used as a chewing gum and an adhesive. It is still used to caulk canoes.
Aucomea klaineanaGum or resin: Bark resin is used for torches and oil lamps in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Azadirachta indicaGum or resin: An exudate can be tapped from the trunk by wounding the bark. This high-protein material has potential as a food additive and is widely used in Southeast Asia as ‘neem glue’.
Balanites aegyptiacaGum or resin: A greenish-yellow to orange-red resin is produced from the stems. It is sucked and chewed when fresh. It is used as a glue for sticking feathers onto arrow shafts and spearheads and in the repair of handle cracks and arrows.
Bauhinia purpureaGum or resin: The tree yield edible gum.
Bauhinia variegataGum or resin: The tree yields a gum.
Berchemia discolorGum or resin: The heartwood produces a resin.
Bixa orellanaGum or resin: Bark from the branches of the trees yields a water-soluble gum that is similar to gum arabic.
Boswellia serrataGum or resin: The tree yields a yellowish-green gum-oleoresin known as ‘salai guggal’ from wounds in the bark. This gum has an agreeable scent when burnt. A mature tree yields about 1-1.5 kg of gum a year. It is said to be a good substitute for imported
Bridelia micranthaGum or resin: The resin is used for sealing cracks in doors, baskets, pottery and winnowing trays.
Bruguiera gymnorhizaGum or resin: An adhesive is extracted from the bark.
Bursera simarubaGum or resin: B. simaruba yields a balsam resin known as American elemi, cachibok or gomart. The resin is concentrated, dried and used in South America as incense in churches.
Butea monospermaGum or resin: A red exudate is obtained from the bark, hardening into a gum known as ‘butea gum’ or ‘Bengal kino’. It can be used as a dye and as tannin.
Caesalpinia sappanGum or resin: The stem produces a gum.
Caesalpinia spinosaGum or resin: Seed endosperm (22 % seed weight) yields gum of commercial value. It is a white to yellowish powder and consists chiefly of galactomannan-type polysaccharides. C. spinosa gum is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in the food industry
Canarium indicumGum or resin: A lemon-scented pale yellow resin is collected from incisions made in the bark is used in incense. It is also used as an ingredient in plasters and ointments.
Canarium ovatumGum or resin: A valuable resin, called Manila elemi or ‘breabianca’, is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of plastics, printing inks and perfumes. It is also is used by the Spaniards for ship repairs.
Canarium schweinfurthiiGum or resin: The bark exudes a heavy, sticky oleoresin that smells like turpentine and solidifies to a whitish resin. It is obtained by slashing the bark and allowing the colourless expiation to trickle to the ground where it solidifies into a sulphur-ye
Cassia grandisGum or resin: The seeds of C. grandis are a potential commercial source of gums. Seed gum is a potential binder for the pharmaceutical industry.
Ceratonia siliquaGum or resin: Currently, the main use of the seed is gum extraction.
Chukrasia tabularisGum or resin: A yellow, transparent gum exudes from the trunk and is marketed in admixture with other gums.
Cinnamomum verumGum or resin: The oleoresin may be prepared by extracting cinnamon bark with a variety of organic solvents. It contains the steam-volatile oil, fixed oil and other extractives of the spice soluble in the particular solvent employed. Little published info
Colophospermum mopaneGum or resin: The tree is the source of Angola copal. Some trees yield no copal but ooze a clear yellow gum when the bark is incised.
Commiphora africanaGum or resin: Gum extracted from the stem is used in making arrows.
Commiphora edulisGum or resin: Exudate from stem cuts is fairly scented, sparse or sometimes copious and milky. Sap used as glue for attaching feathers on to arrows.
Commiphora myrrhaGum or resin: The oleo-gum resin from the stem has an aromatic taste and odour, may be acrid and bitter. It is inflammable, but burns feebly. Its products are highly prized in Asia.
Commiphora wightiiGum and resin: In winter, the thick branches are selected and their bark incised to extract an oleo resin gum called guggul. The plant generally takes ten years to reach tapping maturity under the dry climatic conditions. The yields are in the order of
Copaifera langsdorfiiGum or resin: The oleoresin called copaiba is obtained by incising the trunk. The hydrocarbon is used as an emollient and for other non-energy-related purposes by the natives. The copal is used in lacquers, massage preparations, medicines, and paints.
Cordia sinensisGum: The clear gum from the tree is edible.
Cryptomeria japonicaGum or resin: The tree exudes a resin from which cryptopimaric acid and a phenolic acid are isolated.
Dacryodes edulisGum or resin: The bark is aromatic; on injury, it yields a resin that is used as pitch on calabashes and for mending earthenware. It can be burnt as a primitive lamp oil or bush candle.
Delonix elataGum: The tree yields a dark coloured, mucilaginous gum.
Delonix regiaGum or resin: The tree yields a thick mucilage of water-soluble of gum in yellowish or reddish-brown warty tears; the seeds contain gum that may find use in textile and food industries.
Dipterocarpus alatusGum or resin: The oleoresin is used by indigenous people for illumination and waterproofing baskets and boats. In modern society it is used for paint, varnish and lacquer.
Dipterocarpus grandiflorusGum or resin: The wood yields large quantities of oleo-resin called balau or minyak keruing, it is used locally as a coat for waterproofing paper, caulking baskets and boats, as a varnish for walls and furniture, in preparation of lithographic ink or, som
Entada africanaGum or resin: E. africana yields a low-quality gum.
Euphorbia tirucalliGum or resin: The sap has strong fixative power and is used on the east African coast for fastening knife-blades to wood handles and spear-heads to shafts.
Feronia limoniaGum or resin: The trunk and branches exude a white, transparent gum; especially following the rainy season utilized as a substitute for, or adulterant of gum arabic, and also in making artists' watercolors, ink, dyes and varnish. It consists of 35.5% ara
Funtumia africanaGum or resin: In Kenya, F. africana latex is used as birdlime.
Garcinia hanburyiGum or resin: The tree is valued because of the resinous sap, called gamboge, which exudes from incisions in the bark. The reddish-yellow to brownish-orange sap contains 70-80% resin and 15-25% gum. The main acidic component of the resin is cambogic aci
Garcinia quaesitaGum or resin: The tree yields a translucent yellow resin, which does not form an emulsion with water. The latex is soluble in turpentine and gives a yellow varnish, used in painting and dyeing
Gleditsia triacanthosGum or resin: The gum from the seeds has been suggested as an emulsifying substitute for acacia gum and tragacanth.
Grevillea robustaGum or resin: By virtue of their solubility, viscosity and relatively high resistance to hydrolysis, G. robusta gums may have some industrial applications.
Grewia villosaGum or resin: In Sudan, an extract from the bark is used as glue for tobacco leaves.
Guaiacum officinaleGum or resin: The most important product of G. officinale is resin obtained from the wood and bark, and used in powder, pill and tincture. It is an acrid stimulant and has been found efficient against various diseases, for example it is an ingredient of
Hopea odorataGum or resin: The tree yields a resin known as rock dammar in commerce, which the Burmese use to caulk boats, in painting pictures and in preparation of varnishes. A composition prepared by mixing the resin with bees-wax and red ochre is used for fasteni
Hymenaea courbarilGum or resin: The roots and trunk yield a pale yellow or red resinlike gum known commercially as South American copal. The gum exudes and forms hard lumps that become buried in the soil at the base of a tree. Sometimes as much as a barrel of gum has been
Khaya senegalensisGum or resin: The presence of oleoresin in the vessels of Khaya species accounts for the durability of the timber and its resistance to insect and fungal attack.
Lansium domesticumGum or resin: The seed contains a minute amount of an unnamed alkaloid and 1% of an alcohol-soluble resin. The fresh peel contains a brown resin and reducing acids, from the dried peel, a dark, semi-liquid oleoresin composed of 0.17 % volatile oil and 22%
Leucaena collinsiiGum or resin: The tree stem exudes a gum that is similar to gum arabic in properties.
Leucaena diversifoliaGum or resin: L. diversifolia produces a water-soluble gum containing the sugar rhamnose.
Leucaena esculentaGum or resin: Analysis of several leucaena gums has revealed that they have the closest match to gum arabic of any gums tested from a hundred or so tropical trees. Although toxicity and related studies are needed, leucaena gum may have potential for use a
Leucaena leucocephalaGum or resin: Gum arises from Leucaena stems under ill-defined conditions of injury and disease or from sterile hybrids, especially L. leucocephala x L. esculenta. The gum has been analysed and found similar to gum arabic and of potential commercial value
Macaranga tanariusGum or resin: In Indonesia and the Philippines, the gum tapped from the bark is used as a glue, particularly for joining parts of musical instruments.
Moringa oleiferaGum or resin: When the tree is injured, the stem exudes a gum that is used in calico printing, as a condiment, and for stomach and bladder ailments. The mucilaginous gum has a bland taste and belongs to the hog series of gums.
Myroxylon balsamumGum or resin: M. balsamum’s var. balsamum and pereirae yield gums called tolu and Peru balsam, respectively. These gums are used mainly as flavouring in cough syrups, soft drinks, confectionaries, ice cream and chewing gums.
Neobalanocarpus heimiiGum or resin: A good quality resin is produced and known as Dammar penak. It has been used in the manufacture of varnishes
Newtonia buchananiiGum or resin: A yellow-brown resin exudes from the bark when cut.
Parkia biglobosaGum or resin: Mucilage from part of fruit is made into a fluid and used for hardening earth floors and to give a black glaze in pottery; gum exudate is proteinaceous and contains as the constituent sugars galactose, arabinose, glucuronic and 4-0-methyglu
Phoenix reclinataGum or resin: Roots of P. reclinata yield a gum.
Piliostigma thonningiiGum or resin: A gum tapped from the bark is used in caulking.
Pinus caribaeaGum or resin: P. caribaea can be effectively tapped for oleoresins from when it is 10 years old and has a 20 cm dbh. In Sri Lanka, an industry has been established to manufacture gum resin, turpentine and heavy oils from oleoresins. An average of 25 g pe
Pinus kesiyaGum or resin: Oleoresin of good quality is tapped from the trees. Several methods of harvesting the resin are practised. The resin is found in the intercellular canals in the wood (especially sapwood) and products are often termed ""naval stores"" because
Pinus merkusiiGum or resin: Good quality oleoresin is collected from this species, often on plantation scale.
Pinus patulaGum or resin: When tapped, P. patula yields an oleoresin, which is distilled to give turpentine, and rosin which is used in, for example, paint and batik industries.
Pinus wallichianaGums and resins: This tree is a commercial source of turpentine and tar. It is said to be superior to P. roxburghii but not produced so freely. Oleo-resins are present in the tissues of all species of pines, but these are often not present in sufficient q
Pithecellobium dulceGum or resin: The wounded bark exudes a mucilaginous reddish-brown gum somewhat like gum arabic.
Prosopis africanaGum or resin: P. africana yields a gum.
Prosopis albaGum or resin: The soft, amber-coloured gum has physical and chemical properties similar to gum arabic. The gum was collected and marketed in the 1940s to the1960s in Mexico, South America and southwestern USA. The low viscosity of the gum’s aqueous solut
Prosopis chilensisGum or resin: The bark exudes an amber-coloured, translucent gum similar to gum arabic used in mucilage and an ingredient in medicine.
Prosopis cinerariaGum or resin: The tree yields a pale to amber coloured gum with properties similar of gum acacias.
Prosopis glandulosaGum or resin: Produces quality gums that may have an economic value. Gum from the bark is used for glue in the tree’s native range.
Prosopis julifloraGum or resin: P. juliflora heartwood contains significant amounts of extractable polyphenolic compounds from which can be isolated a unique flavinol compound used in the formation of new phenol-formaldehyde polymeric resins. A reddish-amber gum, similar
Pterocarpus erinaceusGum or resin: Sap dries to a blood-red resin called kino, i.e. dragon-blood gum or gumkine.
Pterocarpus santalinoidesGum or resin: Cuttings on the stem exude a red gum.
Saba senegalensisGum or resin: In Cote d’Ivoire the latex is used as an adhesive for poison preparations for arrows.
Salvadora persicaGum or resin: Resin that drips from the tree is supposedly useful for making varnish.
Schefflera volkensiiGum or resin: S. volkensii yields a gum used medicinally.
Schinus molleGum or resin: The tree produces an aromatic resin used as a mastic.
Schinus terebinthifoliusGum or resins: the tree is a source of resins
Sclerocarya birrea ssp. caffraGum or resin: The gum that exudes from the tree is rich in tannin and is sometimes used in making ink by dissolving it in water and mixing in soot.
Sesbania bispinosaGum or resin: S. bispinosa seed has been found to be a potential source of cheap galactomannan gum, as the plant can be cultivated on substandard soils without extra care or investment.
Sesbania grandifloraGum or resin: Bark exudate and seed endosperm gums are produced. The clear gum from the bark is used in foods and adhesives as a substitute for gum arabic. The bark yields tannins.
Sesbania sesbanGum or resin: S. sesban seeds and bark produce gum.
Shorea javanicaGum or resin: The bark yields an unusually clear, pale yellow damar (resin). The resin was formerly used for torches, for caulking boats and handicrafts, and more recently local traders export it to industrial countries, where it is used principally in p
Sophora japonicaGum or resin: A gum similar to that from carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) can be extracted from the seeds.
Spondias purpureaGum or resin: The seeds have a thick gum coating commonly used in pork meats and chilli stews. This gum has good solubility in water and on hydrolysis yields polysaccharides. Aspartic acid and valine are its major amino acid constituents.
Sterculia foetidaGum or resin: A gum that resembles ‘gum tragacanth’, is obtained from the trunk and branches and is used for bookbinding and similar purposes.
Sterculia urensGum or resin: The tree yields gum karaya from the pith and cortex. The main constituent of the resin is a phlobatannin, containing 3 phenolic OH groups. A large part of the Karaya is used in the pharmaceutical Industry as a bulk laxative and as a denture
Styrax tonkinensisGum or resins: The resin tapped from the tree trunk is of high quality and suitable for use by the perfume industry. The resin is commercially known as `Siam benzoin'. The benzoin resin is characterized by its content of benzoic acid (10-12%), coniferyl b
Swietenia humilisGum or resin: A colourless gum exudes from the branches and trunk of the dry zone mahogany.
Swietenia macrophyllaGum or resin: A gum is produced from cuts in the bark for markets in Bombay, India, it is marketed in both pure form and mixed with other gums.
Terminalia catappaGum or resin: The trunk is a source of gum.
Vitex parvifloraGum or resin: A yellow resin exudes when the wood is treated with lime.
Warburgia salutarisGum or resin: Resin is extracted from this tree; the peppery taste is due to the amorphous resinous substances.
Warburgia ugandensisGum or resin: The resin is used locally as glue to fix tool handles.