The planting site is a previously cleared area which was used for storing felled timber trees. Once logging operations were stopped and cleared, these areas are rapidly over grown with vines and grasses which, without a shaded environment from mature, trees quickly out compete young saplings. The vines need to be cleared by hand prior to replanting and then revisted ever few months during the inital year to ensure the young trees are not smothered.
Typical snapshot of species planted per hectar at Kinabatangan sites.
True forest regeneration requires a wide range of species in order to support wildlife biodiversity. We typically plant 15 - 25 different species with the larger percentages focused on the robust pioneering species which will grow rapidly and support the less robust but import species such as Colona serratifolia which supports a wide range of bird life and Durio gravelens, whose famous pungent fruit - drurians, are an orangutans favorite.
Nauclea subdita
Mid-canopy tree up to 36 m tall, this is a pioneering tree that can grow in sandy, clay soils and on alluvial sites and along rivers and streams. Young leaves used to treat stomach ache.
Octomeles sumatrana
A fast growing forest giant reaching up to 60 meters and higher with buttresses up to 6 meters wide. A important soil stabilizer and pioneer forest tree.
Molotus Muticus
Locally known as the swamp tree, this is fast growing forest giant reaching up to 60 meters and higher with buttresses up to 6 meters wide. A important soil stabilizer during floods.
Foresters
Memee Dairin & Norsalleh Abd Malik setting out on a big planting day
pre-vine clearing
Fast growing invastive vines rapidly grow in the freshly planted sections and have to be hand cleared to protect the saplings.
mozaic Planting
Much of the Bornean operations are focused on Mosaic planting where degraded areas are restored connecting healthy forests and greatly increasing wildlife bio-habitats.
