Establishment of hypothetical forest Plantation Company for (Swietenia macropylla) AirForest Plantation Limited

Abstract of the presentation of

Sampath Bandara

S. macrophylla is one of the most valuable furniture timbers in the world due to the decorative and attractive timber with good technical characteristics. In agro forestry systems it is used for shade and fuel wood. In 1840, Mahogany was first planted in Jaffna as an avenue tree. According to the 2010 data of   FAO there were 5505 ha of Mahogany cover in SL, mainly in the intermediate zone and low country wet zone of Sri Lanka.

AirForest Plantation Limited was established in 1998, and the head office located in No-6, Glenaber Pl, Colombo 03. This company provides numerous benefits to the investors such as Deed of the land, money back guarantee, right of transfer, providing maturity value of the plantation and free maintains facilities with online monitoring facility.

Though AirForest entered into forestry and agricultural plantation industry only 15 years ago (1998), the management of AirForest has decades of experience and knowledge in the field of plantation management. Currently, the company is managing plantations at Kurunegala, Monaragala, Galle, Udawalawa, Badulla, Kegalle and Beragala. (over 250 ha, island wide). AirForest is one of the forestry management companies which use Drip Irrigation System. This ensures a higher and rapid growth and a maximum harvest as each and every tree gets sufficient nutrition by drippers.

AirForest Plantations ensures continuous monitoring and improvements by forestry consultants and experts in the industry and over 15,000 delighted clients in Sri Lanka. It provides harvest-purchase back guarantee, with many additional offers with exclusive premier membership benefits

This value addition is also a very important aspect in the plantation sector because it is eventually a business, and the increasing of profit becomes underlying target. The value addition to a plantation can be done in several aspects. It can be either by increasing the quantity of the timber produced from the plantation or by improving the quality of the mahogany produced and also especially by increasing the utility of the plantation land. Company exporting the Mahogany fruit (Sky Fruit) as a byproduct obtains from the plantation.

There are some difficulties of the Mahogany plantation sector; lack of suitable lands for establishment of plantations, shoot borer attacks, problems related to site quality, competition, problems of the labors, problems related to accessibility, lack of previous informations, political influences. 

Currently company is planning to expand the land area of the plantations and the plantation species verities. And Carbon fixing value is identified as a new business opportunity.

Mahogany sapling in a plantation of Sri Lanka

Establishment of a forest plantation company using Cupressus macrocarpa

Abstract of the presentation of

Shanuka Fernando

The proposed Cupressus macrocarpa plantation is to be established in a company owned land plot of 20 ha in Ragala in the Nuwara-eliya district. The investment for the plantation is made through shareholder equity and long term bank loans. The expected returns are to be made through thinning, prunings, livestock farming and the final felling at 30 year rotation age. Three permanent staff and hired labour will be employed by the company.

The management prescriptions require seedlings as the plant material and close stocking is done during establishment. Thinning operations start after the second year of establishment where thinned out trees are sold as Christmas trees until the 8^th year. The late thinning will be aiming at timber production.  In pruning, clear bole pruning will be done to improve the stem form of 750 trees in a hectare which is done when the dbh reaches 8 to 10 cm. Complete weed control will be done during the first two years followed by low slash mechanical weeding until the 6^th year. Fertilizing will be done for 2 years depending on the site status.

The main disease that poses a threat to the plantation is the fungal disease known as cypress canker which results in the dieback of branches or the entire tree. The damage can be minimised by thorough observation and removal of affected branches and weak trees. Vigilant observations will be made to protect the plants from fire hazard.

Harvesting will be done by clear-felling and tree length harvesting system. Site preparation activities for the rotation will be conducted after the site has been clear felled.

The target customers will be softwood timber dealers, panel and furniture manufacturers and suppliers and traders of Christmas trees. The end products of the company will be sawn timber, Christmas trees and firewood. In addition livestock farming will be introduced after the 10^th year.

By sawing the felled logs and by drying and treating the sawn timber, more value will be added to the end product. By thinning and pruning, the company will be adding value to those non-timber products as Christmas trees and fuel wood.

A mature Cypressus plantation growing in the hill country of Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya

Establishment and management plan of Eucalyptus grandis plantation by Greenhill (Pvt) Ltd

Abstract of the presentation of

Savindi Caldera

Eucalyptus spp were introduced to Sri Lanka in the latter part of 18th century by planters who had links with Australia. After 1953, Forest Department established Eucalyptus grandis in the hill country Sri Lanka, especially in degraded lands for the rehabilitation. These were to obtain sawn timber, transmission poles, railway sleepers and fuel wood.

As there is a population increase and growing demand for timber in Sri Lanka, Eucalyptus grandis plantations had a positive aspect due to fast growth and adoptability to harsh conditions. It meets requirements of people, industries and paved the way to reduce pressure on natural forests. But criticism was voiced in environmental degradation with allegations of adverse effects on soil, hydrology and habitat. However, most of these criticisms have now been addressed by value additions to those plantations as well as to the end-products. Greenhill Company has five main steps in their business model such as aacquiring and subdividing land, establishment, plantation management, and harvest and distributes returns.

The plantation is based in Nuwara Eliya with an extent of 50 ha and it was selected based on the unique climatic and soil conditions which are conducive for the growth of Eucalyptus grandis. Planting objective is to obtain sawn timber mainly to cater the local market with construction timber. In order to supply the perfect fit for each individual’s investment needs short-term cash crops such as beans chilies, green gram or other cash crops such as cotton are being intercropped.

Our business practices are certified by the International Organization for Standardization, achieving ISO 14001 for environmental management and the plantation is well managed as certified by FSC Certification. Value addition can be done through good silvicultural practices, planting superior clones of hybrids and genetically modified high yielding; disease-free, non-splitting trees obtained via vegetative propagations which would improve timber quality and quantity within the plantation. Practicing agroforestry and promoting related industries such as beekeeping, extraction of Eucalyptus oils would generate additional income to the company. At the same time it maximises the land use of the area. Adding organic fertilisers, managing plantations for longer rotational periods, fire management and trench management are some of the eco-friendly management practices that add values to the plantations.  Timber seasoning, pre-treatments, designs used in furniture manufacturing and forest certifications will add value to the end product.

An investment plan was given while assuring absolute ownership of a land with Eucalyptus grandis trees to the clients, ensuring continuous monitoring and improvements by Forestry Consultants. Short term returns will be gained through the intercrops, the thinned material sold as fuel wood and essential oil production which will be outsourced to Bio Extractors’ Pvt Ltd. 

Young plantation of E. grandis

Establishment of a Nedun Plantation Company

Abstract of the presentation of 

Udara Senevirathne

Pericopsis mooniana (Nedun) is a perennial tree of family Fabaceae. Nedun is a beautiful tree with dome shaped crown and evergreen foliage. Mature height and dbh of this species are 20-25m and 30-70cm respectively. The trees are usually located in low land wet zone forests. Timber of Pericopsis mooniana takes a very fine polish, cuts clear and turns easily. It has high natural durability. Colour of heart wood is dark brown and sap wood is pale in color. It is good for high class furniture, cabinet work, flooring and ornamental works.

The hypothetical Nedun Plantation Company named Green Tree Plantation Company is an investment company. The company hopes to provide Nedun timber as final product to local market and international market. The business model of the company consists with five steps as firstly Acquiring and Subdividing Land, Establishment, Plantation Management, Harvest and finally Distribute Returns.

Considering suitable growth condition for Nedun trees, a land is selected in Mathugama, Kalutara. It is a barren land due to high soil erosion.The land should be developed using sloping agricultural land technique. Then Gliricidia is used to soil enhancement because it is a Nitrogen fixing and Nutrient recycling tree. Coir dust is applied as mulch.

Nedun seedlings (purchased from FD) are planted in May-June. The planting distance for Nedun is 3.0m × 3.0m such that number of plants per ha is not less than 1110. N.P.K. ratio (9:13:9) fertilizer is added to Nedun plants in first three years and just after PCT at year 7. Two pruning treatments must be done at age 4 and 7. At pre-commercial thinning, 450 trees are removed at 7 years age. At year 13 of Nedun plants, 1st commercial thinning is done to remove 250 trees. This practice cannot be done with Gliricidia. Therefore they are removed before this thinning. After that, the 2nd commercial thinning is done and sold as timber at 20 years age by removing 120-150 trees. Pest and diseases threats are minimal to Nedun plantation. Most of the time leaf eating caterpillars makes damages. There is no severe damage after 3 years of Nedun plant. Therefore contact poisons can be applied within nursery period to first 3 years whenever necessary. There is a minimum threat to occur a forest fire, because this plantation is located in the wet zone. Most of the time surrounding people tend do illicit felling. Therefore the company expects to provide security using two watchers.

Value addition practices to a Nedun plantation are used of a low cost fertilizer mixture, high quality seedling, intercropping, and certification for both the plantations and end products.In SWOT analysis, excellent return of investment and highly experienced management as some strengths, the growing cycle for Nedun is not more aggressive as one of weakness, high market potential as one of opportunity, land invasion and theft and fires and other natural disasters can be mentioned as threats.

Establishment of an African mahogany Plantaiton by Green World Plantation Company

Abstract of the presentation of

Sonali Batuwatte

Khaya (Khaya senagalensis) is one of the most popular species in Sri Lanka. Management objective of the Green World Plantation Company is to optimise the land utilisation by growing commercially viable and environmentally sustainable trees. The company will increase its profits by providing better quality timber in required amounts. Vision is to “Become the Market Leaders in Khaya Wood Production in Sri Lanka” and Mission is “Production of high-value and high-quality timber on sustainable basis to relieve the pressure on our natural forests, practice commercial forestry by bringing in investors to invest in our plantations.”

Khaya senagalensis belongs to the Meliaceae family and it is native to Africa. It reputedly has the best surface finishing of all the African mahogany species. Khaya timber is highly valued because of its beautiful figurative grain and its rich reddish mahogany brown colour. It is a medium-sized tree which can grow up to 15–30 m in height and 1 m in diameter. It has a fast growth rates in dry and intermediate zones, tolerance to poor site quality and resistance to heavy weed competition, harsh conditions and diseases and pests (except borer). It is favored for furniture, high-class joinery, trim and boat building, railroad ties, flooring, turnery and decorative veneer.

For management prescriptions land selection, planting, protection, labour and staff and extraction can be mentioned. Under planting, seeds, land preparation, spacing, fertilising, weeding, watering, thinning, pruning, pests and diseases. A land of 50 ha in the Intermediate Zone in Kurunegala is selected by using & checking soil parameters. Land Demarcation is carried out by surveying and establishing boundaries. Land is divided in to 10 perch blocks in order to attract small scale investors. 800-1100 trees/ha will be planted with a spacing of 3m × 3m. Live fire belt will be established using Hana. Proper maintenance practices will be established including fertilizing up to 4 yrs and after the PCT with a mixture of N:P:K 9:13:9. Three commercial thinning are carried out at the ages of 11, 15 and 20 years. Creeper cutting is carried out from the 1st year while pruning carried out from 4^th year before and after the rainy season. Watering is done using drip irrigation up to 6 years, 4 l/day in the dry season. Harvesting will be done using clear felling at the age of 25 yrs. In its natural range, K. senagalensis can be severely attacked by shoot borers (Hypsiphylla robusta). Such attacks may result in misshapen trees with no timber value. Carbofuran can be used to minimize these attacks.

Establishment and maintenance plan for a Chloroxylon swietenia plantation company

Abstract of the presentation of 

Sanomi Perera

Ceylon Satinwood which consist several local names such as Buruta, Mutirai, Satinwood is categorized under Meliaceae family according to Bentham and hooker classification system. Chloroxylon swietenia is categorized under luxury class under timber class of STC.

It is a very large, slow growing deciduous tree with a rather shorter bole and a spreading light feathery crown. The moderate height is about 15-21m with a cylindrical stem which grows up to a dbh of 97cm. The wood is hard and heavy and very durable and it has been used for sleepers and has wide variety of uses such as doors, windows, flooring, furniture, carpenters tools etc.

Management objective of Lanka Satinwood (PVT) Ltd. is to maximise the land utilisation in a sustainable way while providing best quality satin timber. The vision is to give a helping hand to save our forests and the mission is to meet the demand for satin wood in Sri Lanka.

Land selection will be done based on the rain fall, temperature, soil factors and labor requirements so a land in dry zone of 50 ha in Puttalam district in the north central province will be selected. After demarcation of boundaries and clearing planting of materials will be done. The land will be utilized batch wise.

Stumped plants will be planted due to the high survival rate so stumps will be prepared from plants about 2 years old in the nursery. Spacing will be 3m ´ 3m and a live fire belt will be established. Fertilizing will be done every year until 15^th year, weeding will be done for all 45 years and watering will be done by a drip irrigation system. Pruning will be carried out by age 8 years and thinning will be done at three stages and they will be 15^th, 25^th and 35^th ages.

Several kinds of damages can be expected towards the plantation and some of them will be damages from wild boars, Teak defoliator, Longicorn beetle. So necessary actions will be taken against pest and disease problems if any was sensed. 30 labors will be taken, 5 security guards and one technical officer will be included.

Extraction will be done at 45 years by providing more favorable conditions though the rotation age of Satin is 70 years. Harvesting method will be clear cut system. Aim is to achieve logs at harvest approximately 8m in length and 25 – 29cm of dbh with minimal taper and knots.

Inter cropping and other agro forestry practices will be followed. The carbon sequestration potential of this plantation will be an added benefit and we will be obtaining forest certification which will be a value addition to our product.

Establishment of Plantation Company of Toona ciliata T Wood Plantation (Pvt). Ltd

Abstract of the presentation of

E.T.D. Jayasinghe

T Wood Plantation (Pvt). Ltd is a Commercial Forest Plantation Company in Sri Lanka established in 2010. The Company is Willing to contribute to overcome high timber demand of the Country by supplying timber of Toona ciliata In addition to our core business to enhance productivity and maximizing profitability we willing to diversify existing lands with cash crops, Cocoa and Anthurium. The aims of the company are sustainable management, the fixation of CO₂ on the existing plantations, and the trade forestry products  of  Forest  Plantation to obtain maximum profit.

Toona ciliata is Medium height tree which is grown about 20 m height. Rotation age of Log size timber is 30-40 years. For commercial purposes it will be 30 years. Growth of the tree would be about 40 to 55 m³  on a 15 to 20 years rotation. Growth Rate is 7-18 m³/ha/year. This species is Successfully grown in Wet & intermediate zone between 600m to 1500m from MSL. Plant required shade for initial growth. Plants can be susceptible to Tip Moth (Hypsipyla robusta)  attack  in initial stages.

When consider about Timber, it has popular demand as a veneer and producing decorative purposes. It is graded under Class II timber grading in State Timber Corporation timber grading system. The wood is pinkish- brown in colour. Timber also has characteristic fragrant, nice grain patterns and it is easy to work with.

Our Toona plantation is located in Haputale, within the climatic zone of up country wet zone. Total Extent of the plantation is 50 ha. When consider about management prescriptions of the plantation, plant seeds do not need pretreatment. Seeds should be sowing in nursery and allowed to grow upto 0.6-1.2 m height prior to planting in field. Grevillea robusta is planting 2 years prior to planting Toona as a shade tree and will be removed after 8 years of planting. Then Cocoa and Anthurium is going to intercrop with Toona for maximum land utilization. The end product will be timber logs which will be sold out to local buyers and saw mills.