Bwa-yo - Société Audubon Haiti

Figure 6.4 S. mahagoni is deciduous in the
drier regions of Haiti.
Kajou Peyi ... Kajou Etranje 49
distributed as roadside plantings and has been established in small private plantations in
the Cap-Hai"tien and Jeremie areas. The species performs poorly on alkaline soils, particularly
on the soft whitish limestone clays, locally known as tif, and on shallow rocky
soils of the dry slopes and ridges. It prefers sheltered conditions and well-drained soils
in areas of Haiti that receive more than 1800 mm annual rainfall and below 500 m elevation.
Natural S. macrophylla x S. mahagoni hybrids are found in most areas where S.
macrophylla has been introduced, notably in the Limbe/Riviere Sale region and Fonddes-Negres.
Additionally, seed lots of the hybrid have been imported from Puerto Rico
and St. Croix since 1989 and have been established in growth trials with both ofthe parent
species. S. humilis occurs in scattered trials throughout the country and has been
introduced to Haiti only since 1989.
Tree Characteristics: The typical form of mature S. mahagoni has a short, buttressing
trunk, up to I m diameter and 2-3 meters high, with a large, spherical crown, many
heavy branches and dense shade. The bark is smooth and gray on young trees, turning
to a scaly dark reddish brown on large trees. Superior individuals have been selected
with clear bole lengths up to 12 m. Maximum tree heights rarely exceed 24 m and average
18 m with spreading crown diameters up to 15 m. Average crown:DBH ratio for
this species is 22.4 (sd 2.74). The tree is deciduous where there are severe droughts,
with a characteristic reddish flush of
new leaves at the beginning of the
rains (Fig. 6.4).
The form of S. macrophylla is
superior for lumber production, having
a narrower crown and clear boles
up to 16 m. Tree heights have been
measured up to 30 m at Franklin, with
stem diameters 40-60 cm, averaging
an annual increment of I cm yr- 1 during
the past 50 years. The crown of
young trees is narrow; that of older
trees becomes broad, dense, and highly
branched.
Wood properties of the two
species differ. S. mahagoni is harder,
with a heartwood that is brownish
red, deepening with exposure and
age. S. macrophylla is lighter pink
brown, with a grain not as fine_ Both
woods have similar density (0.5-0.8)
with straight grain that is sometimes
wavy, roey, and figured. The sapwood
of both species is very susceptible to
decay and insects. Many farmers and
woodworkers in Haiti complain ofthe
attack (pikin on juvenile S. mahagoni