Important Trees of Haiti

Bayawonn S
with calorific values ranging 15.7-17.1 megajoules kg- l at 14% moisture content
(Maxwell, 1985; Timyan, 1987).
Utilization: Mature stems of P juliflora are used as a source of beams, door and window
frames, posts, and rai [ways ties in the dry areas of Haiti. Coppice stems generally
are made into charcoal or used for light construction that does not require durability.
The making of charcoal is the most lucrative method for converting young wood into a
marketable product, because demand is generally steady and reliable, and the wood
yields a high-grade charcoal (Fig. 1.3). Livestock relish the pods, which have a high
sugar and protein content. Pod production during the winter drought, January to March,
is an important mainstay for cattle; they should only be fed ripe, yellow pods as the
green unripe ones are bitter and have little feed value. In areas of Peru, molasses and
other confectionery products are made from the pods; dried pods have been ground into
a meal as a dry land Dour and mixed with water as a beverage (Little and Wadsworth,
1964). Options for the local production of concentrated poultry feed, largely comprised
of dried ground pods, are being considered in northeastern Haiti as an industry. The
proximate analysis ofP juliflora is shown in Table Ll. The tree is an important honey
plant, with bees commonly being observed around the Dower clusters.
Propagation: The species generally is raised from seed that requires scarification prior
to sowlng. The simplest method for mass propagation is to immerse the seed in boiling
water, stir it for one to two minutes in the hot water taken off the boil, and then soak it
in cold water for 2-3 days. Nicking, filing, and sandpaper scarification of individual
seeds is tedious, but is recommended for research accessions.
Container volume is an important consideration for maximum early root development
and survival under harsh environments. Decomposable fiber containers, 15 cm x
Figure 1.3 P juliflora is valued as a source of charcoal in Haiti, commonly made from
simple earthen kilns.