The Miracle Tree

Melia Dubia (Kadbevu)

This is a deciduous tree, attaining a girth of 1.2-1.5m and a height of about 20m, with a spreading crown and a cylindrical, straight bole of about 9m. Kadbevu has been identified as a fast growing indigenous species. This species being a local timber is better suited for industrial use than other exotic / foreign species being presently propagated. This timber produces a very good quality plywood comparable to international standards. Growing this species can increase the forest cover rapidly which at present is a national priority. Large scale availability of plantation timber will save our natural forest and bio diversity which need to be protected.

  • It is fast growing tree with life cycle of 10 to 15 years, specially suited for production of Veneers & Plywood.
  • It grows well even in rainfall areas of 25” to 35” (625mm to 875mm)
  • It grows well with irrigation even in lower rainfall areas
  • Average growth of Melia Dubia is approx 1 Cft per year per tree
  • In pure plantation growth is slightly slower, it requires space to grow. We recommend space of 20’ x 20’
  • This tree grows very round and sound almost without knots
  • It branches between 15’ to 25’ with clear straight bole
  • Density of timber is between 0.375 to 0.45
  • Colour is light pinkish to pinkish
  • Wood of Melia is not susceptible to insect attack
  • Timber peels well and produces clear veneer
  • Logs of 4’ up in girth (40 Cms up in dia) produce excellent faces & Panel core. Quality is defectless
  • Quality of Cross Core obtained from logs of 3’ & up girth (30 Cms up dia) logs is clean almost without blemish.
  • Veneer dries well & fast thereby increasing drying capacity of veneer drier at least by 25 to 40%
  • Veneer Bonds well, adhesion property is excellent
  • It produces good quality light weight plywood, comparable to Okume Plywood. Okume plywood is very popular in Europe & USA and sells at premium.
  • Higher & old growth logs are sliced to produce Decorative veneers
  • Yield from logs is high, considering Melia Dubia produces quality Veneers.

In 1 Hectare

440 Trees
Intensive Planting

In 1 Hectare of land we can plant 440 trees at a spacing of 15ft x 15 ft (intensive planting)

At Rs. 3,500 per tree this would amount to a total return of Rs.15,40,000 per Hectare in 10/12 years

To a farmer this amounts to a remuneration of approximately Rs.12,800 per month. Additional income can be generated from intercropping

In 1 Hectare

130 Trees
Periphery Planting

If we plant just along the PERIPHERY we can plant approximately 130 trees in one Hectare (10 Ft spacing)

At Rs. 3,500 per tree this would amount to a total return of Rs.4,50,000 per Hectare in 10/12 years

To a farmer this amounts to a remuneration of approximately Rs.3,800 per month in addition to the income generated from cultivation