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19. Some trees and their wood |
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Tonle Sap: Source of Lives
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1 - Trong (Pterocarpus Macrocarpus) Family: Leguminous This tree is one of the largest in the deciduous forest, reaching up to 30 meters. It is one of the best woods in Cambodia and has various uses. Meanwhile, its red sap and roots are used in traditional medicines. 2 - Kôki (Hopea Odorata) Family: Dipterocarpacae This evergreen tree grows to more than 30 meters in the rainforest. In cities and towns, they're often found planted along avenues. At one time, this almost sacred species could only be planted by a king or a monk. Its durable wood is first-class, and much in demand for building boats and houses. In Cambodia it's especially popular for dugout canoes. Because of its scarcity due to intensive exploitation, it is being replaced by the wood of the Phchek tree (shorea obtusa). The bark, rich in tannins, can replace areca nut in betel chew. |
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3 - Trâseik (Peltophorum Dasyrrachis) Family: Leguminous This yellow-flowered tree has deciduous leaves, reaches from 10 to 30 meters in height and grows very fast. It is often used in reafforestation. It's often planted along roads and in gardens because of its beautiful flowers. Its first-class wood is hard, dense and durable, which is why it's harvested for cabinetry and construction. 4 - P'Diêk (Anisoptera Costata) Family: Dipterocarpacae Among the highest trees in the tropical rainforest, it reaches 25 to 40 meters. It has many cream-colored flowers with a very nice fragrance. Its wood, rated in the second category, is used for furniture and heavy construction. The tree also yields an abundant white, fragrant resin used for waterproofing boats. |
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5 - Beng (Afzelia Xylocarpa) Family: Leguminous This tree grows in the deciduous forest. It can reach 30 meters in height and more than a meter in diameter. Highly prized for it's attractive, luxury-class red wood, it's used in cabinetry and sculpture. The seed pulp is used in making cigarettes and the bark is used in traditional herbal health drinks. 6 - Tchon Tiel (Dipterocarpus Alatus) Family: Dipterocarpacae This is found in the tropical rainforest. It's valued for use in construction and cabinetry, when not exploited for its resin. As with most trees in this family, the resin has several uses: wood lacquering, draughtproofing boats and traditional medicine. 7- Krânung (Dalbergia Cambodiana) Family: Leguminous The leguminous family is one of the most important in the world and has about 18,000 species. It's without doubt the tree most commonly used by humans, who use it for wood, food and medicine. Several ornamental species are also cultivated. It's prized by farmers for feeding animals and enriching the soil, thanks to its ability to absorb nitrogen from the air. It grows 20 meters or higher and is deciduous. It can resist fire and can grow in degraded areas, thanks to the nitrogen it feeds into the earth. It's one of the best woods in Cambodia. Red, and becoming blackish with age, it's highly prized for making luxury furniture. It was once reserved for the king's use only. |
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8- Dongtchem (Heritiera Javanica) Family: Sterculiacae This tree grows to between 30 and 40 meters and is found in dense forest. Its wood is light, durable and easy to work. It's used for building houses and above all, small boats. [next] |
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