Common Name:

General Information

Xylia xylocarpa is a deciduous tree with a dense crown usually growing 20 - 40 metres tall, though on dry and poor sites the tree may be smaller and the bole crooked[, ]. The bole is usually straight and cylindrical, sometimes with small buttresses[]. It can be unbranched for 12 metres or more and around 40 - 60cm in diameter[].
The plant is mainly harvested from the wild It is cultivated as shade tree in S India and as fodder plant for lac insects[]. It is also sometimes grown in plantations in Asia and Africa[].
Formerly a major component of forests in its native range, it is less common today because of selective logging for its excellent dark-brown wood[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Dry evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest, but growth is poor in dry deciduous dipterocarp forest, in higher altitude forests and in moist bamboo forests[]. Often found on areas of abandoned cultivation and on low hilly country[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist to wet lowland tropics, occasionally to elevations of 850 metres[]. It is found in areas where annual daytime annual rainfall is within the range 16 - 35°c, though it can tolerate 8 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 1,700 - 4,500mm, but tolerates 1,300 - 5,000mm, succeeding in areas with no dry season as well as those with a clearly defined dry season[]. Prefers a dry season of 3 - 5 months[].
Prefers a sunny position, but also succeeds in light shade[, ]. Prefers a deep, well-drained sandy soil, but can succeed in a range of conditions[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
The growth rate of young trees is reportedly fairly high: In India trees were on average 5.7 metres tall and 8cm in diameter after 5 years; in Bangladesh 16 metres tall and 19cm after 10 years. A 23-year-old tree growing in the Arboretum of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia achieved 26 metres height and 30cm in diameter[].
Trees can be coppiced[].
The plant is fire resistant[]. It regenerates well after fires[].
The tree has a well-developed, deep tap-root[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Fruits[].

Seeds[]. The raw seeds are relished as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

The bark contains tannins and is astringent[]. A decoction is used to rid the body of worms[]. It is also used in the treatment of leprosy, vomiting, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea and ulcers[].

The oil from the seeds is used in the treatment of rheumatism, piles and leprosy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Leaves are used as green manure in Areca cultures[].

Other Uses

The bark and wood are a source of tannins[].

A red resin is obtained from the trunk[].

An oil is obtained from the seeds[, ].

The heartwood is dark red, slightly streaked and very fine; it is clearly demarcated from the thick, yellowish-white sapwood[]. The grain is interlocked or wavy; the texture moderately fine to medium and even; the surface somewhat gummy, causing a speckled appearance. The wood is heavy; extremely hard; very strong; very durable, being resistant to the weather as well as termites and other insects - untreated sleepers lasted for 12 years in Thailand and for 20-24 years in India[]. It is easy to work when fresh but becoming hard when dry and difficult to work by hand[]. It is difficult to work and plane and has a serious blunting effect on tools but a good finish can be obtained[]. The wood is mainly utilized in heavy construction, house building, making bridges etc, as well as for railway sleepers, ship building, agricultural implements, tool handles etc[, ].
The wood is prized for fuel and for making charcoal[].
The woody pods are used as fuel for cooking[].

Propagation

Seed - it can be stored at ambient temperatures for more than three years if kept dry[, ]. Fresh seeds do not need pre-treatment[]. Stored seeds should be pre-soaked prior to sowing - immerse the seed in almost boiling water for a few minutes (being careful not to cook the seed!) and then soak it in warm water for 12 - 24 hours, by which time it should have imbibed water and swollen up[]. Seed viability is high and germination occurs readily when sown under shade and with adequate watering[]. A germination rate of 70% - 90% can be expected, with the seeds sprouting within 3 - 4 days[]. Direct seeding is recommended, as seedlings do not stand the shock of transplanting well, probably because the tap root develops rapidly and attains 30cm length in 1 - 2 months[].

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