The genus Toona is composed of only a few species, but phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation are responsible for much of the taxonomic complexity reflected in the literature. The species exhibit a phenomenal range of morphological variation, both within and between trees of the same population, and many of the features used by earlier authors to define their taxa have proved to be only slight morphological variants[].

Common Name: Suren

General Information

Toona sureni is a deciduous tree with a fairly wide, spreading, occasionally dense crown; usually growing up to 40 metres tall with occasional specimens to 60 metres[]. The bole can be branchless for up to 25 metres and can have buttresses up to 2 metres high[, ]. It is usually up to 100cm in diameter, though in mountainous areas it can be up to 300cm[, ].
The tree is sometimes harvested for local use as a food, medicine or dye. Its highly valued timber is widely harvested from the forest and traded commercially. It is also sometimes grown in habitat restoration projects, and is planted as a street tree and an ornamental in gardens.[]. The timbers of Toona species are highly prized but now generally scarce through excessive logging activities throughout their distributional ranges[].
Toona sureni has a wide native range in east and southeast Asia. It is widely used for timber, which could be a potential threat to the species, but this requires confirmation. As the species range is so wide and covers many countries where population size and threat levels will broadly vary the species is globally assessed as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

Wood dust may irritate mucous mebranes or induce bronchitis or dermatitis[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia- China, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

Habitat

A canopy tree in primary forest, but is more common in secondary forest, often on riparian hillsides and slopes, at elevations from 700 - 1,700 metres[, , ]. Open hillsides, occasional in ravines, forests, and woods[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	35.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical climates, it prefers a hot and humid climate and can be found at elevations up to 1,700 metres. It grows best in areas where the, mean annual rainfall can range from 1,120 - 4,000mm, with a uniform distribution during the summer and a dry season lasting 3 - 4 months. The mean temperature of the coolest month ranges from 6 - 18°c, and of the hottest month from 28 - 45°c[]. It is found in areas where the mean annual temperature is around 22°c[].
Young trees require some protection from direct sun, but become more light demanding as they grow older[]. Requires a moist but freely-draining, fertile soil[, ]. Succeeds in acid to alkaline soils[].
A fast-growing tree[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[].

Medicinal

Various parts of the plant, especially the bark, are used in local medicine, as astringents and tonics and to treat diarrhoea[, ].

Leaf extracts are reported to have antibiotic activity[, ].

The bark is used as a powerful astringent and a purgative throughout its range. It is also considered to be antiperiodic, antirheumatic and tonic[]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, and other intestinal infections[].

An infusion prepared from the flowers is said to have an antispasmodic effect[].

The leaf extracts apparently have an antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus, with leaf tip concoctions being applied to swellings[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Often planted in tea estates as a windbreak[].

Other Uses

The flowers are used to produce red and yellow dyes[].

The bark and fruits can be used for production of essential oils[].

Extracts from the bark, heartwood and leaves apparently have insecticidal qualities[].

Fibres obtained from the bark are used in making string bags[].

The heartwood is light red or brown; it is distinctly demarcated from the sapwood, which is white, pink, or pale red. The wood is moderately durable but susceptible to dry-termite and borer attack. It is sweetly aromatic when cut, easy to saw and has good woodworking properties; some material tends to produce a wooly finish and it is therefore essential to use sharp tools; mortising, turning, and sanding give moderate results, but boring sometimes gives poor results; gluing and nailing properties are rated as good but the nail-holding strength is moderate. An excellent timber, it is used for high-class cabinet wood, furniture, interior finishing, decorative panelling, crafts, musical instruments, cigar boxes, veneers, boxes and for construction[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe since it loses its viability within the first 2 - 3 months[]. The seeds germinate easily, and need no pre-treatment. They are sown in a seedbed under 60 % shading[]. Germination of up to 80 % occurs after 4 - 7 days. After one month, the seedlings can be transplanted to containers[].
A 60% rooting was obtained using stem cuttings from 2 - 4-year-old material treated with indolebutyric acid (IBA) and placed in a sawdust medium[].

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