shallaki :

Cultivation:

A plant of the semi-arid to moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,150 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 33 - 42°c, but can tolerate 7 - 47°c]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, but new growth can be severely damaged at -1°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 500 - 2,000mm.
Requires a sunny position It grows well on neutral soils above gneiss, schist, quartzite, limestone and sandstone, and has the ability to thrive in the poorest and the shallowest of soils where most of its associates remain stunted. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.4. Established plants are very drought tolerant.
The tree produces root suckers and responds well to both coppicing and pollardin.
Plants are resistant to damage from fires
A mature tree yields about 1 - 1.5 kilos of gum a year

Propogation:

Seed - it has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe.

Harvesting:

The tree is harvested from the wild, especially for its gum and bark, which are traded locally and internationally. It is also used in replanting schemes for poor soils and is sometimes grown as an ornamental

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