Bursera simaruba - Gumbo-limbo

Description and Uses

Bursera simaruba (Gumbo-limbo) is a tropical tree from Colombia & Venezuela . It is mainly grown for its timber crops , which have a medium shelf life. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 0 - 0 years. The yield will be unknown, but in its top season there will be a yield of Unknown. Other crop types include; timber, fuel, ornamental, fodder, gum resin, repellent pesticide, The {missing data} is used as inedible . The gum/resin is used as " anti-rheuma, " with Bursehernin (? - ?) as its significant phytochemical. There is Gumbo limbo seed oil extracted by cold pressing from the tree's seed/nut yielding 40% - 55% oil. The tree's wood is called Gumbo Limbo and has a density of 550 - 630 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree's growing speed is fast, it's energetic value is 4300 ckal/kg and the wood's drying speed is medium. After 33 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Bursera simaruba has a lifespan of 60 years.

Environmental limitations

The tree is 28 meters tall with a crown of 17 meters wide. The tree prefers a planting distance of 300 cm and a row distance of 300 cm. It is very fast growing and partial shade tolerant. Bursera simaruba has a shallow root-system and it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungi (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen with "any bacteria. The name(s) or string of bacteria include(s) "not applicable ". The tree's flower-morphology is monoecious and is pollinated by bees. Bursera simaruba is deciduous in winter and a bit allelopathic and has no thorns.

Bursera simaruba thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1000 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 1°C; optimally between 18 - 25°C. The optimal rainfall is 2300 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 800 - 3000mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind very tolerant and to fire intolerant.

Pests and Diseases

Bursera simaruba is susceptible to the following pests: . And it's susceptible to the following diseases: no disease , , .

Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 10 months. There are approximative 38000 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed:

• (1) Store harvested seeds in water or in the fruit at room temperature
• (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing.
• (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.