Diptero Plantations: Establishment of a Hora Plantation

Abstract of the presentation of

Upekha Mandakini

Dipterocarpus zeylanicus, is an endemic tree in Sri Lanka commonly known as Hora. It belongs to the family Dipterocarpaceae, and the genus Dipterocarpus. It is a dominant emergent tree in lowland evergreen rainforests in Sri Lanka. Hora tree grows up to 40-45 m tall and 4- 6 m in circumference. It often grows vigorously in river banks and well-drained alluvium.

The required temperature is between 28–30° C with 1,500-2,500 mm annual rainfall and prefers deep moist soil with pH of 6-7. Thus the wet zone of the country is the more suited.

Hora timber is a very strong and placed under class 1 of State Timber Corporation (Sri Lanka) timber classification. However its durability is much lower, so most of the time Hora timber is used for construction activities as its long length is a prominent character for using construction activates specially as scaffolding. More over it can be used for railway sleepers, rafters, electric posts, beams, joists, heavy types of carpentry work, and suitable for under water work.

“Diptreo Plantations” is a privately owned company established with the objectives of providing traditional timber while protecting natural forests. Income generation and social well being are other objectives of the existence of the company.

The plantation extend is 35 ha and located in Rathnapura district and maintained with intercrops of pepper, areca nut and orchids. This is the only outdoor orchid flowers cultivation in Sri Lanka.

Silvicultural activities will be implemented to obtain high quality timber with the rotation age of 30 years. Areca nut, pepper and cut flowers will generate early income other than the timber of Hora. The orchid cultivation itself also will generate income by the tourist attraction.

A Hora tree