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SpiritWood Corporation |
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Melina | |
Gmelina Arborea is a truly fascinating tree. It is normally referred to as Melina (pronounced Ma-lee-na) but is also commonly known as the "Miracle Tree" or the "Paper Tree". It takes only six to seven years to grow from a seedling to a mature tree and during this time will reach heights of 20 to 25 metres with a trunk diameter of 25 to 35 cm. If left to grow, Malina can achieve a height of 40 metres and have a trunk diameter exceeding one metre during a life span of 45 years. |
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The natural range of Melina extends from Pakistan southeast and south through India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, through Myanmar to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Indonesia and the southern provinces of China. It has been widely introduced throughout the tropical and temperate belt of the globe including Africa, Central America, South America and elsewhere in Asia. |
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Each new plantation nursery is established two months prior to the onset of the Monsoon season, as the trees need to be planted during this rainy season to enhance the growth and survival rate. All of our seeds are carefully germinated in specially prepared germination beds, using the latest techniques. Following germination, all of the seedlings are planted in nursery beds and watered daily. After two to three weeks, our nursery manager examines each seedling and any that does not meet our standards due to damage, disease or stunted growth is removed. The little trees reach a height of 45-60 centimeters within two months when they are ready for planting on previously prepared land. Prior to final planting, all of the seedlings are again inspected, and all sub-standard seedlings are discarded. |
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Preparation of the final planting land includes clearing any existing brush and cutting of tall grasses which can reach a height of two metres. Once the land has been prepared, the trees are planted at a spacing of 2 metres by 2 metres allowing 2,500 trees to be planted per hectare. Each tree is fertilized at the time of final planting. This 2 by 2 spacing allows the trees to grow to harvesting size without further thinning. In addition, this gives sufficient access to our farmers for fertilizing, pruning, removal of unwanted vegetation around the trees, and controlling pests. Within two to three years the trees have grown sufficiently to form a canopy, preventing grass cover on the ground, thereby eliminating competition for the trees. Firebreaks are cut around the perimeter of our farms and also at strategic locations on our lands, to reduce the risk of fire damage to our trees. |
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One of our findings to date is the variable quality of the available Melina seeds, which can result in tremendous differences in the growth rate of our trees. To improve the quality of our seedlings, we have identified healthy fast growing straight trees on our farms, and identified them as future 'mother trees'. By harvesting the seeds of these mother trees, we will improve the quality of our seedlings. In our continuing efforts to improve our understanding of the process, our most senior farm manager has attended a D.E.N.R. training course on cloning and grafting, giving further alternatives in our efforts to improve our seed stock quality. |
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