Common Name:

General Information

Terminalia richii is a briefly deciduous tree with a globose canopy; it can grow 25 - 35 metres tall. The bole is straight and cylindrical, with small, steep buttresses developing in older trees[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is used locally and also traded. It can be used in soil conservation projects and in shelterbelts, whilst it also has the potential for growing in timber plantations[].
A well-regarded timber species in its native range, it has been extensively logged, whilst much of its natural habitat has been converted to agriculture, leading to its becoming uncommon[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwestern Pacific - American Samoa, Samoa, Niue.

Habitat

A canopy or emergent tree in lowland and lower montane rainforest[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist maritime tropics where it can be found at elevations up to 830 metres. It is found in seasonally wet climates where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 2,050 - 3,250mm. The mean annual temperature is around 24 - 27°c, with the mean maximum of the hottest month 26 - 31°c and of the coldest month 21 - 24°c[].
Prefers a sunny position[]. Seedlings can tolerate up to 50% shade levels, but grow faster in sunny positions[]. Prefers a fertile, neutral, well drained, heavy textured soil, but can succeeds in most soils of basaltic origin[]. Established plants are somewhat drought resistant[]. Plants can tolerate tropical cyclones[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.1 - 7.4[].
A moderately fast-growing plant, capable of annual height increases of 2 - 2.5 metres when young, decreasing to 1.3 - 1.5 metres as it grows taller[].
Trees can commence flowering at around the age of 6 - 8 years[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The excellent cyclone-resistance, surface-rooting habit, lower-stem buttressing and small to medium size leaves which break down at an intermediate rate all combine to make this a species of choice for soil erosion control[].
An excellent species for boundary marking due to its longevity and stability[].
It can be used as a windbreak[].

Other Uses

The wood is a light to medium weight hardwood with excellent working and machining properties. It is suitable for a wide range of interior uses, including cabinet work, furniture and panelling, as well as for general construction[]. It was traditionally used in house construction and for canoes[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe since it is likely to have a fairly short period of viability. Seed does not require pre-treatment, fresh seed having a germination rate of around 35 - 40%[]. Sow in a shady position in a nursery seedbed, Germination can be rather slow, typically occurring sporadically over a period of months. Move seedlings to progressively sunnier positions as they grow so that they have experienced 1 - 2 months of full sun prior to planting out when about 25cm tall, which is at around the age of 4 months[].

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