Schizolobium parahyba

(Vell.) S. F. Blake

fuelnitrogen fixationpulp and paper

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

A fast-growing deciduous tree reaching 25 m in height and spread. Hardy to UK zone 10 and frost tender. Bee-pollinated flowers. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Grows in medium loamy and heavy clay soils with good drainage, tolerates nutritionally poor and saline soils. Requires full sun and prefers moist conditions but tolerates drought. Excellent pioneer species for land restoration and woodland establishment. Light shade allows intercropping, making it suitable as shade tree in coffee plantations and for soil erosion control.

Description

A tall tree. It grows 25 m tall. It has buttresses. The pods are about 10 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide. The seeds are oval and flattened and 2 cm long.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Bolivia, Central America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,

Cultivation

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations from sea level up to 2,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 26°c, but can tolerate 9 - 30°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,600mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 1,800mm. Grows best in a sunny position. Prefers a well drained, moist, loamy to clay soil. Prefers a fertile soil, but can succeed in soils of low fertility. Prefers a Ph in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5. Established trees are drought tolerant. Schizolobium parahyba is one of the fastest growing tree species, which is why it has been widely introduced in tropical regions; mainly for reforestation projects, as an ornamental or as a shade tree. It is a pioneer species, with large seeds that help its quick establishment, even in thick ground cover and litter. Although not being considered as an invasive species in most of its range, it has sometimes been noted to have invaded managed pastures and airport grass strips. It is considered as invasive in the seasonal semideciduous forests in Sao Paulo, Brazil, although the invaded area is not large, and its spread has not been extensive. A very fast growing tree, it can be 8 - 10 metres tall after 2 years. It can be grown with a 6 - 8 year pulpwood rotation. Annual wood production can be up to 20 tonnes per hectare. The tree has enormous double-compound leaves that sometimes exceed 2 metres. These leaves can sometimes make people confuse a young plant with a fern or palm. The tree has brittle branches that break off easily in the wind. 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.

Propagation

The hard seedcoat benefits from scarification before sowing. Pour a small amount of nearly boiling water over the seeds, then soak in warm water for 12–24 hours; properly hydrated seeds will have visibly swollen. If swelling has not occurred, carefully nick the seedcoat without damaging the embryo and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A germination rate of around 85% can be expected, with seedlings emerging within 5–15 days.

Other Uses

The flat, brown, hard, oval seeds are used to make buttons and beads. Within its native range the tree is a natural pioneer that grows very quickly and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, making it an excellent choice for land restoration and establishing woodland gardens. It also works as a shade tree in coffee plantations and casts light shade that allows intercropping. The large volumes of biomass it sheds improve soil fertility, and it helps protect surrounding soil from erosion. The heartwood is light brown, not clearly distinct from the yellowish-white sapwood; the texture is coarse to medium, grain straight to interlocked, lustre medium to bright, and seasoned wood has an astringent taste with no distinct aroma. The wood is very light and soft with low durability according to some reports, though other reports indicate it is not susceptible to insect attack and is durable in salt water. Its repulsive smell when fresh may limit wider use. It is employed for door and panel interiors, toys, shoe soles, boxes, native huts, canoes and cheap furniture, and can also serve as fuel.