Important Trees of Haiti

Figure 5.3 S. berteroana, showing the
typical habit of the species. Inset ­
Slender and pointed leaf shape of S.
berteroana
Fwenn 41
during sawing. Seasoning with prolonged weather exposure causes severe surface and
end splitting. It exhibits variability in decay resistance, though it is generally considered
low in resistance to decay fungi and highly susceptible to dry-wood termites and marine
borers, contrary to a widely held beliefthat the characteristic bitter taste ofthe bark and
wood impart a resistance to insects (Longwood, 1962).
The plant is dioecious with both unisexual and bisexual flowers. The seed orchard
at Roche Blanche began bearing seed at 3
years, though full seed production is
achieved at 6 years. Male trees made up
approximately 40% of the population in a
plantation established in India (Satpathi,
1984). These were eliminated and replaced
with bisexual plants for seed production.
There are 1600-1800 seeds kg-I for S. glauca
and 1100-1300 seeds kg-I for S. berteroana.
Utilization: The moderate density, softness,
and ease of working, make S. glauca a popular
wood for house construction and common
furniture of the Haitian farmer. The
combination of fast growth, broad adaptibility,
and ample natural regeneration provides
an adequate supply for local wood industries
in such regions as Maniche in the southwestern
Haiti (Fig. 5.4).
The wood generally is sawn into planks
that are easy to work as a general utility
wood. Certain staining fungi that attack the
wood actually enhance its appearance for
decorative uses. The wood industry in
Central America uses the species in match
manufacture, plywood core, veneer, wood chips and lumber.
S. glauca yields an edible oil from its seeds. The aceituno fat also is used for soap
production in India, where plantations have been established for commercial production.
Methods for processing the seed to produce and refine the crude fat, as well as the
physical and chemical characteristics of the aceituno oil, are given in Rath (1987).
Armour (1959) mentions a toxin in the residual cake that is produced during the oilextraction
process.
All parts of the tree are used for medicinal purposes. The bark is taken as a decoction
or tea for diarrhea and fever. Leaves are used for rheumatism or are applied in the
form of a lotion for body pain, bruises or skin itch. The fruit is edible. During the flowering
season, it is visited by swarms of bees and is considered an important honey plant.
Propagation: S. glauca regenerates well under the deep shade of mango, where birds
perch and drop the seed after eating the sweet pulp (Fig. 5.5). It also is dispersed by
other small fauna that feed on the fruit. A lizard species (Ctenosaura similis) in Costa
Rica has been observed to ingest the fruit and disperse intact seeds away from the mother
trees (Traveset, 1990).