Important Trees of Haiti

S8 Palmis
Figure 7.2 R. borinquena is particularly abundant in the lower elevations of the moist
regions of Haiti.
gracefully curved and spreading leaves that separate smoothly from the trunk after they
die. Faint leaf scars at the nodes form a distinctive pattern along the trunk and are variably
spaced according to growth rate and tree age. The tree flowers throughout the year.
Utilization: The species is one of the most utilized tree species in the subtropical moist
forest. It is planted as a stately ornamental in the urban residential areas. In the rural
areas, the standing tree is often used to store grain. A hole is cut through the trunk at
about 6 m above ground and corn is balanced on each end of a pole running through the
hole (Fig. 7.4). This practice discourages rats from getting to the corn. As an important
honey plant, the flowers attract bees that also make their hive in trunk segments prepared
by farmers (Fig. 7.5). The fruit clusters are served to pigs that are often tethered
at the base of the trunk or in deep shade (Fig. 7.6). When pigs are given fresh fruit, they
eat the fleshy outer part and leave the kernel to dry for later consumption. The proximate
analysis of Roystonea fruit from Cuba, on a dry weight basis, is as follows: 6.1 %
crude protein, 23.6 % crude fiber, 26.6% crude fat, 39.4% carbohydrates, and 4.3% ash
(G6hl, 1975).
The palm generally is felled when the hard outer trunk is mature for lumber, about
15-25 years of age (Campbell, 1994). Thin planks are hewn with a machete along the
stem axis, about 10 cm wide and 4-6 m long, and are utilized mainly for roof lattice,
flooring, and siding in the construction of houses and granaries (Fig. 7.7). The lumber
is reportedly very susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites (Little and Wadsworth,
1964). The palm cabbage (i.e., heart ofpalm) is wrapped carefully in the leafsheath and
sold as a food item, particularly at Easter time. Leafsegments ofthe young furled fronds
are used for weaving chair seats and hats. The dried sheaths (lash) of mature fronds,
when pressed flat, are used as roofing and siding material and are readily sold in local