 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
UTILIZATION
Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Wood
The sapwood is grayish-white. The heartwood is beautifully mottled, pinkish-red when first exposed,
fading to reddish-brown and then resembling mahogany, dull to somewhat lustrous, especially on the
radial surface. It is aromatic, but without characteristic taste. It is moderately hard and heavy (sp gr.,
approximately 0.68). The wood is rather uneven and narrowly interlocked-grained (showing beautiful
ribbon strips on the radial surface), and medium to somewhat coarse-textured. The weight of the
wood at 12% moisture content is 833 kg/m3. The figures for its comparative suitability as a timber,
expressed as percentage of same properties of teak, for specimens of U.P. origin, are weight 124;
strength as a beam, 87; stiffness as a beam, 81; suitability as a post, 82: shock resisting ability 105
and nail or screw-holding property, 117. It is hard and has good nail-holding property. It is not difficult
to saw and in this respect is similar to teak. It is easy to work by hand and on machines and turns on
a lathe to a fair finish, but does not take polish well. It lends itself to broad carving. It resembles true
mahogany but lacks the smoothness of grain and workability with tools of that species.
The sapwood is grayish-white. The heartwood is beautifully mottled, pinkish-red when first exposed,
fading to reddish-brown and then resembling mahogany, dull to somewhat lustrous, especially on the
radial surface. It is aromatic, but without characteristic taste. It is moderately hard and heavy (sp gr.,
approximately 0.68). The wood is rather uneven and narrowly interlocked-grained (showing beautiful
ribbon strips on the radial surface), and medium to somewhat coarse-textured. The weight of the
wood at 12% moisture content is 833 kg/m3. The figures for its comparative suitability as a timber,
expressed as percentage of same properties of teak, for specimens of U.P. origin, are weight 124;
strength as a beam, 87; stiffness as a beam, 81; suitability as a post, 82: shock resisting ability 105
and nail or screw-holding property, 117. It is hard and has good nail-holding property. It is not difficult
to saw and in this respect is similar to teak. It is easy to work by hand and on machines and turns on
a lathe to a fair finish, but does not take polish well. It lends itself to broad carving. It resembles true
mahogany but lacks the smoothness of grain and workability with tools of that species.
SEASONING AND PRESERVATION BEHAVIOUR
The timber seasons well, better than would be expected from its somewhat coarse grain. It is said to
season well even when converted from green logs. It is preferable to season boards cut from green
logs in open stacks placed under cover. The wood is durable, even in open situations. It is not usually
attacked by insects to termites which is popularly attributed to the oily nature of the wood. Treatment is
not necessary, as even sapwood is said to last long in untreated condition.
The timber seasons well, better than would be expected from its somewhat coarse grain. It is said to
season well even when converted from green logs. It is preferable to season boards cut from green
logs in open stacks placed under cover. The wood is durable, even in open situations. It is not usually
attacked by insects to termites which is popularly attributed to the oily nature of the wood. Treatment is
not necessary, as even sapwood is said to last long in untreated condition.
PRESENT-DAY USES
The wood is used for building, as boards and panels, for furniture, carts, axles, yokes, naves and
felloes, ship and boat building, hems oars, oil mills, jewelry, cigar boxes, carved images, toys, drums
and tom-toms, agricultural implements etc. It is commonly used for the backing of cupboards and for
the sides and bottoms of drawers as it is said to keep off moths when used for such purposes. The
tree is held sacred by Hindus and idols are made from it in northern India. The famous idols at
Jagannath Puri are made from neem trees. It has been employed to a limited extent for shells of
opium packing cases. It is a fair board wood.
Being hardly ever leafless, neem is widely planted for shade and ornamental purposes in the drier
parts of the country, either as an avenue tree along roads or near villages. It makes excellent roadside
avenues. Protection of roadside trees from the loppers’ sickle continues to be the most serious
problem for establishment and subsequent growth of trees.
The wood is used for building, as boards and panels, for furniture, carts, axles, yokes, naves and
felloes, ship and boat building, hems oars, oil mills, jewelry, cigar boxes, carved images, toys, drums
and tom-toms, agricultural implements etc. It is commonly used for the backing of cupboards and for
the sides and bottoms of drawers as it is said to keep off moths when used for such purposes. The
tree is held sacred by Hindus and idols are made from it in northern India. The famous idols at
Jagannath Puri are made from neem trees. It has been employed to a limited extent for shells of
opium packing cases. It is a fair board wood.
Being hardly ever leafless, neem is widely planted for shade and ornamental purposes in the drier
parts of the country, either as an avenue tree along roads or near villages. It makes excellent roadside
avenues. Protection of roadside trees from the loppers’ sickle continues to be the most serious
problem for establishment and subsequent growth of trees.
ECONOMICS OF NEEM PLANTATIONS
Neem Oil has large uses and every part of the tree is useful. However, all uses are not
complementary. Lopping of young leaves for fodder adversely affects the tree from, health and growth.
The snapping of young twigs as toothbrushes caused injuries that cause the sap to flow out and
attract the insects that bore into the wood. The seed collection and depulping is labour intensive. The
seeds need proper storage, as they turn rancid very fast specially because of adverse climatic
conditions of the rainy season when natural seed fall takes place. The best returns in plantation are
obtained when trees are managed for supply of timber at a rotation of 40 to 50 years with thinnings at
ages of 5, 13 and 25 years and final felling in 40 or 50 years depending on the requirement of the size
of wood in demand in the local market. Early thinnings provide fuelwood and later thinnings provide
poles. Internal rate of returns of 15 to 20% should be expected in properly managed plantations.
Neem Oil has large uses and every part of the tree is useful. However, all uses are not
complementary. Lopping of young leaves for fodder adversely affects the tree from, health and growth.
The snapping of young twigs as toothbrushes caused injuries that cause the sap to flow out and
attract the insects that bore into the wood. The seed collection and depulping is labour intensive. The
seeds need proper storage, as they turn rancid very fast specially because of adverse climatic
conditions of the rainy season when natural seed fall takes place. The best returns in plantation are
obtained when trees are managed for supply of timber at a rotation of 40 to 50 years with thinnings at
ages of 5, 13 and 25 years and final felling in 40 or 50 years depending on the requirement of the size
of wood in demand in the local market. Early thinnings provide fuelwood and later thinnings provide
poles. Internal rate of returns of 15 to 20% should be expected in properly managed plantations.