Chloroxylon Swietenia
Family : Meliaceae
Common Name : East Indian Satinwood
English Name : East Indian Satinwood
Hindi Name : Bhirra
Telugu Name : Billudu
Bengali Name : Buruta
Tree Characteristics :
East Indian satinwood is a deciduous small to medium-sized tree growing up to 18 metres tall. It produces a decorative wood of excellent quality that fetches high prices on the international market. Because of its high quality timber, the tree has been greatly overexploited in the wild and has become scarce in many areas, leading to it becoming listed as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red list of threatened species. Some plantations have been established.
Nursery:
The species is; not much utilized in plantation work. However, 1 to 2 years old seedlings can be planted. The mature fruits before dehiscing are collected and dried to get the seeds. The seeds should be stored in a clean dry place in gunny bags. Seed looses viability quickly. No.of seeds per kg 1344 to 3111; Germination percentage 41 to 73; Period of Germination germination in days 10 to 17; Pretreatment not essential. Seeds if sown, starts germination within 15 days. Seedlings are delicate and require shade in first few months
Economic Uses :
Ø The tree yield reddish brown gum and a yellow dye. The wood yields an essential oil. It is also used as bridge, in house construction, for ploughs, oil mills, pestles, cart shafts, axels, naves, felloes and spokes. The bark contains tannin. Bark has medicinal value.
Ø The heartwood is cream-coloured to golden yellow, darkening to brown with age; The grain is usually interlocked or wavy, texture fine and even.
Ø A decorative timber, it is used for furniture, panelling, pattern making, interior trim, cabinet work, flooring, boxes, crates, interior joinery, carvings, toys, musical instruments and luxury goods.
Ø The crushed leaves are applied externally to treat wounds, snakebites and rheumatism. A paste of the leaves and roots is taken internally to treat headache The root bark in milk is drunk to treat impotence.
