Saman tree - Albizia saman
Description and Uses
Albizia saman (Saman tree) is a tropical tree from Malaysia & Indonesia. It is mainly grown for its timber crops (long shelflife), but also Other uses include; bio-mass, fertilization, fodder, fruit, fuel, gum resin, ornamental and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 5 - 9 years. The first yield will be 1700 kg/ha/yr fodder but in its top season there will be a yield of 5 m3/ha in 15 yr wood. The young pods is edible. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-arthritic activity. The bark contains - n/a - (0% - 0%). There is Albizia saman oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 5 - 5% oil. The tree`s wood is called Saman wood and has a density of 550 - 650 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very fast, its energetic value is 5450 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 13 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Albizia saman has a lifespan of 100 years.
Environmental limitations
The tree is 50 meters tall. It is very fast growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Albizia saman has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungus. (endo-mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by bees. Albizia saman is deciduous in dry season and not allelopathic and has no thorns.
Albizia saman thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1300 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 3°C and optimally between 20 - 35°C. The optimal rainfall is 2100 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 600 - 3000 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is intolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire intolerant.
Pests and Diseases
Heteropsylla cubana,Hilda patruelis and to Bacterial spot as disease diseases.
Seed Propagation
Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 17000 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature, (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.
