Llanos Tree Varieties

Acacia mangium There are several types of trees that do well in the soil and weather conditions of the Colombian llanos or plains. Our preferred plantation tree is the Acacia mangium. It produces a beautiful, commercially popular hardwood in under 10 years, that is good for furniture, floors, decking and other applications. In some places it is being marketed as white teak. The tree also produces a fruit that is very high in protein.

Caraipa llanorum A tree that is marketed in Europe, but is almost unknown despite its wood's mahogany like beauty is the Saladillo, also known as the Caraipa llanorum. This hardwood has been used by local Indios for millenia and by modern campesinos or farmers for a variety of applications, including buildings and furniture.

Other plantation trees we intend to plant include Eucalyptus pellita and Piño caribe or Caribbean pine. The land is also able to support cashew, guava, mango, avocado and other popular fruit trees. We are going to plant some fruit trees because the birds and animals love them.

Some common trees that grow wild in Vichada include the cedar (cedro), the protium (caraño), the laurel (Cordia alliodora), the Brazilian cherry (anime or curbaril), the jacaranda (gualanday), the snakewood (yarumo), the star apple (caimo), giant bamboo (guadua), the coffee-shade tree (guamo) and the cumaré (Amburana cearensis). Many of the wild trees of the llanos have medicinal properties used by indigenous peoples and by pharmaceutical firms.

Seedlings in the Nursery

Acacia mangium Reforestation starts in the tree nursery. Once a seedling is established (10 to 12 weeks) it is planted in the llanos in mid-rainy season, to set roots before the dry season.

Acacia mangium seedlings Trees are not farmed but ranched. Every tree is inspected once a week. If a tree is leaning cords straighten it. Undergrowth is cleared by hand with a machete, as powertools can damage the trees, affecting their lumber value.

Piño caribe Some 1,200 trees can be planted per hectare, by placing them about 3 meters or 10 feet apart. Trees are planted in a grid, helping to control undergrowth and brush or forest fires.

River Barge Harvested lumber can float to market by barge on the Orinoco, an international water way to the Atlantic through Venezuela, or can go by truck to Bogotá.