4. SILIVICULTURE
Silvics = The ecological study of forest trees.
Including life history & general characteristics
= The art & science of
cultivating forests based on
knowledge of
silvics.
9. DISTRIBUTION
Native to southern Asia
Ranging south of the Himalaya, from Myanmar in
the east to Nepal, India & Bangladesh
In Bangladesh
distributed in the Dhaka, Gazipur, Tangail,
Mymensingh, and Jamalpur districts, including some
patches in the greater Comilla and Sylhet districts
►0.12 million hectares of land
►4.7% of the total forest area
10. Fig. 1
Map showing the
distribution of moist
deciduous Sal
(Shorea robusta)
forests of
Bangladesh.
11. CLIMATIC CONDITION
Temperature:
mean annual temperature is 26.3oC
the average maximum temperature is 27.5oC
the average minimum temperature is 18.5oC
Average Rainfall: 1000-2000mm
12. PHYSIOGRAPHIC CONDITION
Both hilly & flat areas
But best in lower slops & in valleys
Soli type: Well-drained moist deep sandy loam soil
18. 2. Physionomy
♣ Gragarious
♣ Seldom completely leafless
♣ Moderately slow growing
♣ Bole is clear & straight
♣ Crown tends to be round to flat in older ones
♣ In fertile sites
height 36-46m
grith 3m
In infertile sites
height 18-30m
grith 1.5-2.1m
♣ Bark is 2-5cm thick
♣ Root system : tap root is extended upto 120cm only
19. 3.Wood Anatomy
Naturally lasting timber
Weight 25-30kg
Chemical Composition :
Water = 10.8% Carbohydrate = 62.7%
Oil = 14.8% Protein = 8%
Fibre = 1.4% Ash = 2.3%
Diffuse porous
Light in colour when freshly cut, & becoming dark
brown with exposure
Sapwood – Pale grayish or brownish-white
Heartwood – Brown or reddish-brown
20. PHENOLOGY
Leaf fall January-March
New leaves appear February-May
Flower bud appear February
Fruit ripen June
21. SILVICULTURAL CHARECTERISTICS
Moist deciduous formation
Light demander
Complete overhead light is needed
Soil pH 4.5-5.5
Higher level of N & K
Lower level of P, indicates optimal condition for
growth
Long & strong tap root
22. SILVICULTURAL CHARECTERISTICS
Development of lateral root system is suitable in
sandy or sandy loam soil
Medium aged trees are good coppicer.
Very susceptible to drought & frost
Young trees are injured by animals
Suffers from the attack of Polyparous shoreae.
23. NATURAL REGENERATION
Success of natural regeneration depends
on:
Sufficient seed production
Proper & efficient dissemination
Good seed germination
Establishment of seedlings in sufficient
numbers
Two ways :
i. From seed
ii. From vegetative parts
24. Operations for successful natural regeneration
of SAL :
Adequate seed supply
Combination of good seed year & timely
commencement of monsoon
Dense foliaged trees should be thinned out & light
crowned species should be retained
Soil working
Fencing regeneration area
Controlled grazing
Burning, before a good seed year
25. ARTIFICIAL REGENERATION
Sal plantation can be raised successfully by
:
❀ Direct sowing of freshly collected viable & fertile
seeds
❀ Planting of seedlings in understory
❀ Dona planting
❀ Poly pot plants
❀ Basket plants
❀ Stump planting
❀ Vegetative propagation
Best time - Rainy season
Caution: Before planting, fresh or undecompised leaves
of SAL must be removed from the planting spot.
27. USES
Important sources of hardwood timber
Leaf plates and leaf bowls can be made from the
dry leaves of sal.
Seeds are used for fat extraction, which is used in
soap manufacturing
Used as substitute for cocoa butter in
manufacturing chocolates and confectionery.
Oil from sal fruit is used for burning in earthen
lamps.
It is also misused for adulterating ghee.
Resin is regarded as astringent and detergent
During famine poor people grind the fruit into flour
and eat it to ward off starvation.
