Common Name: Charcoal Tree

General Information

Trema orientalis is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or tree with a heavy branching and rounded to spreading crown, reaching a height of up to 18 metres[]. It has a short basally swollen bole that can be 60cm in diameter[, ].
The plant has a wide range of traditional uses for food, medicine and other commodities. A fast-growing tree, it has several applications in agroforestry as a shade tree, pioneer species etc. It is also grown in various areas in plantations as a timber crop and is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where its fast growth makes it a popular choice for a new garden[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, southern China, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia,Australia to the Pacific Islands.

Habitat

Moist forests, dry scrub of open slopes at elevations of 400 - 1,900 metres in southern China[]. Open places on hillsides at elevations of 200 - 1,200 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Charcoal tree is a plant of the lowland humid tropics, where it can be found at elevations from sea level up to 2,500 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 27°c, but can tolerate 8 - 34°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 4,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Requires a well-drained, sandy soil[, ]. Succeeds on a wide range of soils from heavy clay to light sand; tolerating moderate alkalinity and salinity[]. The plant has an extensive root system, which enables it to withstand dry periods[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
A very fast growing tree, attaining a harvestable size for pulpwood in 3 - 4 years[].
It coppices well[].
The tree has an extensive root system that enables it to survive long periods of drought[].
The species is intolerant of fire[].

Edible Uses

The leaves and fruit are reported to be eaten in the Democratic Republic of Congo[].

Medicinal

The plant is vermifuge, and is known to have anti-plasmodium properties[].
Both bark and leaf decoctions are used as a gargle, inhalation, drink, lotion, bath or vapour bath for coughs, sore throat, asthma, bronchitis, gonorrhoea, yellow fever, toothache[].

The leaves are reported to be a general antidote to poisons[].

A bark infusion is drunk to control dysentery[].
A tea made from small pieces of the roasted wood is used to treat dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Charcoal tree has a wide range of applications in agroforestry. It is often planted as a shade tree in coffee and cocoa plantations and also in other crops in Asia and Africa[].
A common pioneer species, it is among the first trees to establish in clearings, on flood-damaged riverbanks, and also colonizes denuded poor soils[]. The tree regenerates profusely through its numerous seeds and grows rapidly, so it is a common colonizer of disturbed rainforest areas[]. It is widely planted for soil reclamation in southern Asia[].
It grows rapidly on disturbed soil so helps in soil conservation[].
The mulch is used to improve the soil. The tree is common as a fallow species in shifting cultivation[].
Charcoal tree can serve as reservoirs for populations of defoliating insect pests and thus may put at risk nearby plants of economic value[]

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used for making cords and ropes[, , ].

The seed contains a dark green fixed oil[].

The bark yields a black dye[]. A brown dye is obtained from the bark[]. The inner bark is rubbed on ropes to blacken and preserve them[].
A coffee-coloured dye is obtained from the leaves[]. The bark and leaves contain a saponin and tannin[].

The wood is off-white or tinged with pink. It is fine-grained, soft, light and of low durability. It is used in manufacturing panel products, poles and drumsticks[]. An appropriate tropical hardwood for paper and pulp production. Paper made from T. Orientalis has good tensile strength and folding endurance[].
The tree can provide plenty of firewood and excellent charcoal which is even suitable for making gunpowder and fireworks[, ].

Propagation

Seed - to break dormancy, the seed needs to be stored at 2°c for 3 - 4 months[]. Seeds require a high light intensity for germination. Germination rate is around 30%[].
Seed storage behaviour is uncertain; viability can be maintained for 6 months in hermetic storage at room temperature, after which viability reduces rapidly[].
Cuttings.

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