The Narra tree is a majestic hardwood that has been revered for centuries, not only for its beauty but also for its remarkable characteristics. With its rich golden color and intricate grain patterns, it’s no wonder that Narra is one of the most sought-after woods in the world. However, this precious resource is becoming increasingly scarce due to over-harvesting and deforestation. In this blog post, we will explore the unique features of the narra tree and why it commands such high prices in the market. We’ll also take a closer look at sustainable agriculture practices around narra trees and how farmers can benefit from planting them on their land. So come along as we delve into the fascinating world of Narra!
Narra Tree Description and Characteristics
Narra, also known as Pterocarpus indicus, is a large tree that can grow up to 40 meters in height and 2 meters in diameter. The bark of the narra tree is rough and scaly, with a greyish-brown color. Its leaves are bright green and oval-shaped, measuring around 10 centimeters long.
One of the most remarkable features of the narra tree is its wood. It has a distinct golden-yellow hue that deepens with age and exposure to light. The grain patterns on narra wood are intricate and unique, making it highly prized by furniture makers and artisans for its beauty.
Aside from its aesthetic appeal, narra wood is also incredibly strong and durable. It is resistant to decay, termites, fungi, fire, and water damage which makes it an ideal material for construction or any heavy-duty applications.
Furthermore, research has shown that extracts from Narra bark have medicinal properties including antioxidant activity thus improving human health if used properly.
The versatility of this hardwood means that it’s commonly used in various industries such as furniture, flooring production, musical instruments manufacturing, and shipbuilding industry among others.
Overall, Narra trees exhibit characteristics that make them valuable not just because they’re beautiful but because their strength, durability coupled with medicinal benefits portray why people value them so much.
Why Narra is So Expensive
One main reason why Narra is so expensive is because of its slow growth rate. It takes decades for narra trees to mature, making it a rare commodity that drives up its cost. The demand for high-quality narra wood in the market adds to this rarity.
Another contributing factor to Narra’s exorbitant pricing is its difficulty in harvesting and rarity. Harvesting Narra requires skilled laborers using specialized tools as they have an intricate root system that makes it hard to extract from the ground without causing damage.
Environmental regulations around sustainable agriculture limit how much Narra can be harvested at once and when it can be done—increasing production costs and contributing further towards the price tag of finished products made from this timber.
Many factors contribute towards Narra’s high price tag which includes scarcity due to slow growth rates alongside skillful labor requirements during harvests with additional production costs driven by sustainable agricultural practices required under the law.
Uses of Narra Lumber
Narra lumber is a highly valued and sought-after wood due to its exceptional durability, beautiful appearance, and resistance to decay. Its unique characteristics make it ideal for various applications in furniture making, boat building, interior finishing, construction work, and decorative purposes.
One of the most popular uses of Narra lumber is for high-end furniture production. The wood’s rich reddish-brown color with golden undertones gives an elegant look that adds warmth and beauty to any interior design. Narra can also be used alongside other materials such as steel or glass to create stunning contemporary designs.
Another use of narra lumber is in home interiors like flooring or paneling where it provides a rich luxurious feel. Due to its strength and resilience against water damage, Narra makes excellent decking material both indoors and outdoors.
The strength of narra wood also makes it perfect for heavy-duty construction projects like bridges or beams which require load-bearing capabilities without compromising on aesthetics. It has been used extensively in historical structures all over Asia because of its long-lasting durability even after centuries.
In addition to these practical uses, Narra Lumber can be fashioned into sculptures or carved objects due to its ability to hold detail well creating intricate pieces with great depth.
There are numerous ways that narra lumber can be put into use from functional constructions such as houses or boats through fine woodworking processes including carving statuary items while still maintaining sustainability practices through proper forestry management techniques ensuring generations benefit from this incredible resource
Status of Narra in the Philippines
Narra is considered the National Tree of the Philippines, and it has been a significant part of the country’s culture and economy for centuries. However, due to illegal logging activities and deforestation, narra trees have become endangered in recent years.
In 2016, Narra was included in the list of threatened Philippine plants by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The government has implemented laws to protect this species from overexploitation. It is now prohibited to cut down Narra trees without permission from authorities.
Despite conservation efforts, incidents of illegal logging still persist. In some instances, people even resort to using fake permits or bribing local officials just to get their hands on Narra logs.
The decreasing number of mature narra trees poses a significant threat not only to its existence but also to industries that rely on it such as furniture-making and construction. This highlights the importance of sustainable agriculture practices as well as strict law enforcement measures in protecting our natural resources.
While steps have been taken towards protecting Narra trees in the Philippines through legislation and conservation programs, there remains much work left to be done. We must all do our part in safeguarding these precious resources for future generations.
Is Planting Narra Trees Profitable?
Planting Narra is a long-term investment that can be profitable if done correctly. One of the main reasons why it is profitable to plant Narra trees is because of their high value in the market. Its wood is highly sought after for furniture and construction, making it one of the most expensive hardwoods in Southeast Asia.
However, planting Narra trees requires patience as they take around 10-15 years to mature before they can be harvested. It’s important to note that proper care and maintenance are essential during this period to ensure healthy growth and development.
Another factor to consider when determining profitability is the cost involved in planting and maintaining these trees. The initial investment may be significant but once established, minimal expenses are needed aside from regular pruning or trimming.
Furthermore, sustainable agriculture practices should also be taken into consideration when planting Narra trees. Proper soil management, irrigation techniques, and pest control measures should all be implemented accordingly.
While planting Narra involves an initial investment with a long waiting period before harvest time comes around, proper care and maintenance combined with a growing demand for quality hardwood products worldwide make this tree plantation very much worth considering as an on-farm investment today too!
Narra Challenges
Narra trees have been facing various challenges over the years, affecting their growth and survival. One of the significant problems is illegal logging, which is rampant in many parts of the Philippines. This has led to a decline in Narra tree populations, making it difficult for sustainable agriculture.
Another challenge facing Narra trees is climate change. The changing weather patterns and extreme weather events have affected the growth cycle of these trees leading to stunted growth or even death. Moreover, pests and diseases are also posing serious threats to Narra trees as they weaken them, making them susceptible to other environmental stresses.
In addition, land conversion has led to the further destruction of natural habitats for Narra trees. Many forested areas where these species grow have been cleared for agricultural purposes or urbanization projects. This has resulted in limited spaces available for planting new Narra seedlings and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
Despite these challenges faced by Narra Trees’ sustainability efforts are being made through conservation programs such as reforestation initiatives aimed at increasing their population size while minimizing deforestation activities that negatively impact our ecosystem’s balance.
Narra Alternatives
Narra is a highly sought-after tree species due to its durability, strength, and attractiveness. However, due to overexploitation and unsustainable logging practices in the past decades, narra populations have significantly declined. This has resulted in the need to explore alternatives that can replace Narra lumber without compromising quality.
One alternative to Narra is acacia mangium which grows faster than Narra but has similar wood properties. Aside from this, it is also available at a lower cost compared to Narra although it may not be as attractive for furniture-making purposes.
Another substitute for Narra is Gmelina arborea or commonly known as the “gum-elemi” tree. It’s relatively fast-growing and produces timber with comparable properties of Narra but lighter in weight.
Moving forward, there are other sustainable options such as bamboo and rattan which can provide a renewable source of materials while promoting biodiversity conservation efforts in the country.
Exploring various alternatives should be encouraged instead of relying on one specific species like Narra alone. By using these substitutes together with sustainable forestry management practices we could ensure ecological sustainability while still providing construction industry quality timbers or by-products that will benefit us all for generations to come.
Questions Related to Narra Tree
What is Narra tree in the Philippines?
Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) is a large deciduous reddish hardwood tree that is native to most Asian countries. Widely introduced due to its many uses, the narra was declared the national tree of the Philippines in 1934 by Governor-General Frank Murphy of the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands.
What is Narra tree good for?
Aside from its lumber, different parts of the Narra tree have medicinal uses, such as the decoction of the bark is used for diarrhea. Its young leaves are used to treat boils, skin ulcers, and prickly heat. A light infusion of the leaves is also used to control fever. Root extract is used on syphilitic sores.
What are the unique characteristics of the Narra tree?
Narra is a graceful tree with drooping branches that toss in the trade winds. Short-lived flowers usually appear in April or May, and for a day or two the tree is a shimmering mass of fragrant yellow blooms, which then fall off nearly all at once. The curious winged fruit stays on the tree for months.
What does the Narra tree symbolize?
Museo ng Muntinlupa – Sturdy and strong, Narra symbolizes the …
Sturdy and strong, Narra symbolizes the indomitable spirit and character of the Filipinos. It became the national tree of the Philippines during the time of Gov. Gen. Frank Murphy in 1934.
Is it illegal to cut Narra trees in the Philippines?
Section 18. Penal Provisions. The cutting, harvesting, gathering, transport, and processing of Narra without a permit shall be illegal and any person or persons committing such act or acts shall be punished in accordance with Section 68 of P.D.
What are the disadvantages of Narra wood?
The only downside to Narra is that it’s hard to find and it’s very expensive. You can also use teak wood for interiors, but this is also expensive and imported.
Is Narra prone to termites?
Narra has good weathering characteristics and is typically very durable regarding decay resistance. It is generally resistant to termite and powder post-beetle attack, though there can occasionally be ambrosia beetles present, especially in sapwood.
How strong is the Narra tree?
Janka’s hardness is 1200 pounds of force. Drying & shrinkage: Narra yellow is easy to season with little or no degradation and movement in service is rated as small.
Why Nara is the national tree of the Philippines?
The Narra tree is the national tree of the Philippines because it is resilient and strong. It is meant to represent the cultural pride that every Filipino immigrant may carry with them.
Why is the Narra tree endangered?
Unfortunately, the high demand and expensive value of Narra made people resort to illegal logging and overexploitation. In the latest assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species done last January 2018, Narra is already globally considered an “Endangered” species.
Conclusion
The Narra tree is a precious hardwood that is widely used for its aesthetic and functional properties. It has been a significant part of Philippine culture for centuries, and it continues to play an important role in the country’s economy today.
While planting Narra trees can be profitable, it requires careful planning and management to ensure sustainable agriculture practices are followed. As with any crop or business venture, there are also challenges that come with growing Narra such as pests, disease, and climate change impacts among others.
Despite these challenges and concerns over illegal logging activities affecting natural populations of this species within protected areas like forests, working towards sustainability by supporting legal sources through certification systems such as FSC can help ensure responsible forest management practices.
Alternative woods may be used for some applications but do not offer the same level of beauty or durability as narra wood which makes it so sought after by designers and builders alike.
We hope this article on narra characteristics provides you with valuable insights into why this tree is so special and deserves our attention when considering sustainable agriculture initiatives moving forward.
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