Teak (Tectona Grandis) Farming

Teak is a native tree of Indian subcontinent. In past one hundred and fifty years it has spread to several tropical countries situated on both the sides of equator. It is extremely popular throughout the world for almost all kinds of timber uses. Mature tree produces quality timber between sixty to eighty years of age due to its moderately slow growing nature. In recent years a number of private enterprises have come up for teak growing in many tropical countries including India. Guiding forces behind this have perhaps been initial fast growth and successful agroforestry practices resulting in early returns. Mushrooming private companies are offering shares to public and promising very high returns in twenty to thirty years. This requires detailed study on technical aspects and financial feasibilities mainly dependent thereon. Irrespective of the growth performance in quick time teak has been a successful farm forestry crop. Heavy demand, big gap in supply and high price rise produce sufficient opportunity to go for it in a big way specially on private farms. This book is an effort to bring forth the growth and yield potential, to present the crop improvement, plantation and tending techniques and to assess the nutrient cycling in young teak plantations.