1 Melina plantations in Central America

In Central America there are a total of 225,000 ha of forestry plantations (De Camino et al. 1998) of which 52,000 ha (23%) have been planted with melina (Gmelina arborea). The species has been planted with commercial purposes in both Costa Rica and Guatemala. The Madeleña Project has promoted the planting of the species in Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras, but this has been for primarily demonstrative purposes and to produce logs and firewood for local consumption. No important area reforested with melina is reported in these countries.

Up until 1997, Costa Rica had a total of 49,300 ha planted with melina. This represents 94% of the total area that has been reforested with the species in Central America and 22% of the total reforested area in the region. Melina has been used in reforestation projects since 1979, however, it was not until 1986 that the species began to be used in large scale projects. From 1986 on, the area planted with the species increased reaching its maximum in 1993 with 9,500 ha. During 1994 - 1997 the area being planted with the species decreased appreciably due to prevalent uncertainty about the availability of financial support for reforestation projects through the National Forest Plantation Incentive Program.

The first melina plantation in Costa Rica was established in 1966 in Manila de Siquirres (in the Atlantic Zone). The plantation area was 2,000 ha and the seed used was brought in from 20 different sites where the tree grew naturally, principally in Asia. Dr. Daniel Ludwig, who was also developing the Jari Forestry Project in Brazil (Zeaser 1998) introduced the species.

Some 70% of the area established with melina has been planted by national tree growers using State incentives. The size of these projects varies from 1 ha to 6,500 ha. The remaining 30% of the area corresponds to projects established by tree growers or companies that use their own capital. Within this category, the most important project is the Ston Forestal Company which has established approximately 14,000 ha to 1998.

This company planted melina to produce wood chips, to be exported to the United States and used as pulp for paper making; and sawn wood, to be sold to the German company Faber Castell, beginning operations in southern Costa Rica in August 1998.

The species has adapted rapidly, with excellent long-term growth results throughout the country. Currently many plantations are located in the northern zone as well as in the Atlantic, southern and dry Pacific zones.

Table 1. Area (ha) planted with melina (Gmelina arborea) in Costa Rica from1979-1997. June, 1998

Sources: DGF 1994; * DECAFOR 1994; ** SINAC 1998.

In Guatemala, the most important plantation belongs to the Simpson company which established its plantations with the goal of producing wood chips for making pulp. The total area in this country planted with this species is 3,100 ha. Nevertheless, the company is analyzing the possibility of changing its objectives and producing logs for sawn wood. These plantations were established at the beginning of the 1990s (INAB 1998).