Country report on

Tree improvement of fast growing species

Presented to the Seminar in Indonesia
by Sorn Somoline

1- Background

Cambodia's primary rainforest cover decreased from over 75% in 1960s to about 60% today
( FA, May 2007 ). The country has only about 10 million hectare of forested area remaining. Most
of the logging is conducted to satisfy the international demand for tropical timber. Logging rates
accelerated dramatically during the 1990's when unprecedented numbers of lumber mills were
constructed. Land encroachment is becoming a serious problem in Cambodia, as well as globally,
especially in light of global warming, floods and erosion. Besides cutting forests for construction,
land property, cutting pressure on forests also exist to satisfy the growing demand for energy. Fuel
wood is the number one source of energy in Cambodia and is widely used for cooking. For
electricity Cambodia relies entirely generation equipment using import of fossil fuel, mainly diesel
oil. The combination of high world prices of fuel oil and high importation taxes ( >100%) results in
very expensive electricity, especially in rural areas (often $0.60 to $0.90 per KwH). The high cost
of fuel cost of diesel generated electricity is major obstacles to developing local businesses in rural
and provincial areas of the country where 80 % of the population reside.

Table 1: Forest Cover change

Unit: ha 1960s1 1973/76 1985/87 1992/93 1992/93 1996/97

Total area 18,103,500 18,153,500 18,153,500 18,153,500 18,152,985 18,152,984
Inland Water
451,500 481,400 567,100 411,100 446,163 469,138
Body
Land Area 17,652,000 17,672,100 17,586,400 17,742,400 17,706,822 17,683,847
Forest Area 13,277,100 12,711,100 11,852,400 11,284,200 10,859,695 10,638,208
Percentage of
75.2% 71.9% 67.4% 63.6% 61.3% 60.2%
Forest Cover
Source : Forestry Statistics to 2002
Table2: Forest cover and other land use of Cambodia (Ha) 2006

Forest Type Area (ha) %

Evergreen Forest 3,668,902 20.2
Semi-evergreen Forest 1,362,638 7.5
Deciduous Forest 4,692,098 25,8
Wood Shrub land Dry 37,028 0.2
Wood Shrub land evergreen 96,387 0.5
Bamboo 35,802 0.2
Other forest 971,341 5.3
Total Forest 10,864,186 59.8
Non Forest 7,296,456 40.2
Total Area 18,160,674 100.0
Source: FA, May 2007

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 RkahV 1> karERbRbYl KMrbéRB
Fig. 1. Change of Forest Cover
76%
75.2%
74%

72% 71.9%

70%

68%
67.4%
66%

64% 63.6%
62%
61.3%
60% 60.2%

58%
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
qñaM Year

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Period of 1970s, the estimated annual production of logs and fuel woods was 385,000 m3
and 357,000 m3 respectively, and average log exports amounted to 94,508 m3. During the period of
1990s, log production increased substantially each year from 600,000 m3 in 1991 to 4.3 million m3,
with export earning of 114 US$ million, in 1997 (DFW 2001).

Large tracks of natural forest are under heavy pressure due to logging, encroachment, shifting
cultivation. With the population growth rate at 2%, the rural people estimate 84.3% of total
population use fuel wood for cooking that particular to forest degradation (Hang, 2002 ). An
estimate six million m3 of wood is used every year as fuel wood (Soktha, 2001 ). However, the
ongoing forestry reforms give priority to reforestation activities that need to improve the fast
growing species for quickly requirement of rural people and industries such as rehabilitation of
degraded forest or improve soil fertilize, erosion protection, fuel wood, animal food and product
paper.

2- Tree Improvement in Cambodia

In Cambodia, the priority species are indigenous ones. Economic calculations, which compare
indigenous species and fast growing exotics, demonstrate that a higher wood quality and value can
compensate for a slower growth rate. A valuation that also includes biological and social
consideration and future demand would clearly recommend planting indigenous species.
Cambodian government has collaborated with Tree seed Project to establish 23 seed sources in
natural forest outside protected area. In addition to the objective of seed collection, the seed sources
are considered as protected sites for conserving genetic resources of the priority species.

2.1. Reforestation

Reforestation activities have take place in the poor site. Between 1985 and 2006, a total area
of 16,825 ha was planted throughout the country. The main species used being Acasia and Eucalypt.
From 1995-2002, the seedling distribute for tree plantation were estimated around 38,330,972
seedling included distributed by Forestry administration, 14,796,948 seedling, by Forestry of
province 6,414,831 seedling , by Hun Sen Nursery 7,247,234 seedling, by British American
Tobacco Cambodia Ltd(BAT) 9,873,959 seedling (FA, May 2007) . In 2003 the Department of
Forest and Wildlife plan for the plantation of 1,625 ha through its planting station focusing on
Eucalyptus camcalduleus, Tectonis grandis and Dipterocarpus spp. In addition 1.3 million of
seedling will be produced for distribution to the local population, consisting of a mix of exotics
natives and fruit (DFW 2002). Tree plating activities by armed forces will cover until 2002-2006
had 1,678ha (FA, May 2007) . A pre requisite for successful tree planting is good quality seed,
which requires conservation of forest genetic resources. Among the 21 species used in planting
programmes only three are exotic (acasia, eucalypt, and teak) and the rest are indigenous. Acasia
spp. and Eucalyptus spp. account for the largest share of seedling production and play a significant
role in large-scale plantations for rehabilitation of degraded forests or in the pulp and paper
industries.
The number of planting tree exported to oversea still in a small scale.

- In2000-2006 Cambodia export 165 m3 of Acasia and Eucalyptus, 6,459 Std of

Processing wood and 6,000 Tone of veneer. These product were export to China,
French, Korea and Thailand.
- In 2005-2006, 630,000 Tone of Acasia and Eucalyptus charcoal were exported to
Japan, Korea and Thailand. (FA, May 2007) .

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 Table 3: Main species for plantation

Khmer reading Scientific Name Seedling Remark

Category
Akasya Acacia spp. Short-term Mainly A. auriculiformis
Angkanh Cassia siamea Short-term
Preng Kchal Mainly E. camaldurensis and E.
(Eucalyptus) Eucalyptus spp. Short-term terreticornis
Trosek Peltophorum dasyrrhachis Short-term
Krakhop Muntingia calabura Short-term
Kanthum Thet Leucaena leucacephala Short-term
Chres Albizia lebbeck Medium-term
Chan Kiri Albizia saman or Rain Tree Medium-term
Chanty Anacardium occidentale or Cashew Medium-term
Tiep Barang Annona muricata or Soursop Medium-term
Tiep Srok Annona squamosa or Custard Apple Medium-term
Thkow Anthocephalus chinensis Medium-term
Artocarpus heterophyllus or
Medium-term
Khnao Jacklfruit
Loung Reach Cassia fistula Medium-term
Tuek Doh Chrysophyllum cainito or Milk Fruit Medium-term
Kngaok Delonix regia Medium-term
Mien Dimocarpus longan or Longan Medium-term
Srorkom Madhuca elliptica Medium-term
Svay Mangifera indica or Mango Medium-term
Romduol Mitrella mesnyi Medium-term
Kamping Reach Sandoricum koetjape Medium-term
Pring Syzygium spp. Medium-term
Terminalia catappa or Indian
Medium-term
Chhat Armond
Kuy Wellughbeia edulis Medium-term
Thnong Pterocarpus macrocarpus Long-term
Ko Koh Sindora siamensis Long-term
Dong Cocos nucifera or Coconut Long-term
Khaya senegalensis or African
Long-term
Kaya Mahogany
Srol Sluk Pii Pinus merkusii Long-term
Maisak (Teak) Tectona grandis Long-term
Beng Afzelia xylocarpa Synonym:Pauhidia
Long-term
cochinchinensis
Phdiek Afzelia xylocarpa Long-term
ChanKrasna Aquilaria crassna
(Agarwood) Long-term
Kranhuong Dalbelgia cochinchinensis Long-term
Chhou Teal Dipterocarpus spp. Long-term Mainly D. alatus
Doun Chem Tarriefia javanica Long-term
Koki Hopea spp. Long-term Mainly H. odorata
Source: FA, May 2007

2.2. Main species for plantation

a- Fencing around the homestead and fields : Popular tree species include Leucaena
leucacephala, Pithecellobium dulce, Sesbania grandiflora, Casuarina equisetifolia), Acacia,
Hura crepitans, Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and other types of trees for
construction.
b- Along roadsides: shade, beautification of the landscape, a good and clean climate,
prevention of soil erosion, drainage, prevention of dust from flying onto people houses, and
providing wood for various uses. Appropriate species include Delonix regia, Casuarina

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 equisetifolia), Albizia saman, Bauhinia variegata, Swietenia macrophylla, Hopea odorata,
Peltophorum dasyrrhachis, Peltophorum plerocarpum, Cassia fistula, Lagerstroemia
floribunda, Eucalyptus camadulensis, Cassia siamea, Dipterocarpus alatus, and Acacia
auriculiformis.

c- In public places: such as hospitals, schools, pagodas and public gardens provides particular
advantages such as shade and beauty, which is very beneficial to all people. These species
include Hopea odorata, Dipterocarpus alatus, Delonix regia, Albizia saman, Cassia siamea,
Cassia fistula, Casuarina euqisetifolia, Afzelia xylocarpa and Pterocarpus macrocarpus.
d- To prevent erosion: include Barringtonia asiatica, Pithecellobium dulce, Bambusa spp,
Psidium guajava, Nauclea orientalis, Acacia, Eucaliptus camadulensis, Crateva andansonii,
Ficus spp., and vines (khtum).

e- For animal fodder: Species include Leucaena leucacephala, Moringa oleifera, Hura
crepitans, and Sesbania bispinosa.

f- Agro-Forestry system: include Leucaena leucacephala, Sesbania bispinosa, and Moringa

oleifera.

g- Barriers against storms and floods include Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus

camadulensis, Acacia, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Delonix regia, Bambusa Spp, and
Albizialebbeck.

2.3. Seeds selection

There are no enterprises or private companies dealing with tree seed supply. The demand for
seed is still low and it is not possible to estimate future demands because none of the users have
long term plans for tree planting activities, there by posing a major constraint to planning for the
ongoing supply of good quality seeds of appropriate species, which is, by nature, a long-term
process. Instead, tree seeds are obtained in a number of ways some formal and others informal. The
nursery managers collect the seeds by selecting good mother trees and test the seeds by cutting them
to see if they are still alive. Some case the nursery managers advise local people on the selection of
good mother trees. This is the most common method of obtaining seeds; however without seeing the
seeds source, it is difficult to evaluate the quality. Indigenous tree seeds are usually purchased from
local people and therefore, quality cannot be assessed other than through the germination rate.
Currently, Forestry Administration purchases seeds of Acasia and Eucalyptus from Vietnam for
distribution to the planting station and nurseries. More over, the Reforestation Office are regulated
purchases seeds from Thailand and Australia.

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 Table 3: Seed sources in the natural forests

No. Location No. of

Area
of Species mother
(ha) Province District
site tree
1 Dalbergia oliveri 12.5 Preah Vihear TbengMeanchey 78
2 Sindora cochinchinensis 100
Tariettia javanica 39
Shorea hypochra 17 Kampong Thom Sandan 22
Shorea vugaris 19
Dipterocarpus costatus 396
Anisoptera glabra 323
3 Pterocarpus macrocarpus 20 Siem Reap Chikreng 83
4 Azadirachta indica 50 Banteay Mongkul Borey 90
Meanchey
5 Pinus merkusii 104 Kampong Thom Santuk 72
Fagraea fragrans 70
6 Dalbergia oliveri 21 Ratanakiri O Chum 21
Pterocarpus macrocarpus 20
Xylia dolabriformis 22
7 Afzelia xylocarpa 18 Ratanakiri Lumphat 27
Dalbergia oliveri 41
Pterocarpus macrocarpus 14
8 Afzelia xylocarpa 20 Ratanakiri Kaun Mum 26
Dalbergia oliveri 17
Shorea cochinchinensis 07
9 Hopea ferrea 30 Ratanakiri Kaun Mum 88
10 Dalbergia cochinchinensis 50 Siem Reap Varinn 67
11 Dipterocarpus alatus 7 Siem Reap Angkor Wat 43
Source: CTSP, 2002

Tree improvement in Cambodia is commencing and only very few activities have been
carried out by the CTSP since 2002. Seeds production areas for four species such as Dipterocarpus
turbinatus, Hopea odorata, Aquilaria crassna and Afzelia xylocarpa have been estsblished in a 10 ha
plot at Kbal Chhay, Sihanoukville. Seed orchard for two species : Tarrietia javanica and Shorea
vulgaris have been planted in a two ha plot at Kbal Chhay. A provenance trial is being conducted by
CTSP at Bak Sna where two species of Afzelia xylicarpa and Pterocarpus macrocarpa from six
provenances were planted in a 5 ha plot in 2004.
In 2003 , The CTSP conducted to a survey to estimate seed demand. The finding are
presented in Table 4, but as they are based on a sample only ( for the surveyed nurseries ), the
national annual seed demand will be higher. Among the 21 species used in planting programmes
only three are exotic ( acacia, eucalyptus and teak ) and rest are indigenous.

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 Table 4: Result of seed demand survey
No. Species Amount of seed supplier
seed (Kg)
1 Acacia spp. 156 Vietnam, CSIRO, local people
2 Afzerlia xylocarpa 1072 CTSP’s seed sources, local people
3 Albizia lebbeck 2 local people
4 Anisoptera costata 5 local people ( natural forest in Kompong Thom )
5 Aquilaria crassna 1 local people
6 Azadirachta indica 137 local people
7 Cassia siamea 10 local people
8 Dalbergia bariensis 2 CTSP’s seed sources
9 Dalbergia cochinchinasis 5 CTSP’s seed sources, local people
10 Dipterocarpus alatus 604 CTSP’s seed sources, local people
11 Eucalyptus spp. 16 Vietnam, CSIRO, local people
12 Eugenia jambolina 1 local people
13 Hopea odorata 64 Pagoda, local people
14 Leucaena leucacephala 2 local people
15 Melaleuca cajiputi 1 local people
16 Peltophorum dasyrhachis 1 local people
17 Pterocarpus macrocarpus 14 CTSP’s seed sources, local people
18 Shorea farinose 5 local people
19 Shorea vulgaris NA CTSP’s seed sources,
20 Terrieta javanica 72 CTSP’s seed sources,
21 Tectona grandis NA Thailand, Kampong Cham province
Source: CTSP (2003)

3- Usage and advantage of fast growing species

People plan tree for various reason including maintain water sources, upgrading soil quality,
improving climate, supplying construction timber and wood energy, provide shelter for livestock
and furthermore for social advantage, cultural and traditional conservation and for beautifying the
landscape.

3.1. Fast growing species

In Cambodia, fast-growing species offer important advantages for rural economic development
such as Leucaena leucacephala, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Accacia
auriculiformis, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Cambretum quaddrangulare and other speciecs.

These tree farms will not displace important rice crops grown in the wet paddy areas, very
important for improving the livelihood of rural people. It can provide high yields of woody material
for energy purpose. So its can use as a good way to reduce deforestation of community and local
natural forests. In Cambodia, the amount of forested area has decreased rapidly in the last 15 years
because of an increased demand in the national and international market for tropical wood for
furniture. The result of these practices and resulting deforestation are drought, global warming, land
erosion and floods. In order to protect the environment and restore forested areas, fast growing trees
can be used. Together with the positive impact on forests, farmers can benefit from planting fast
growing species by improved soil conditions (through nitrogen fixation). Eucalyptus citriodora – a
fast growing tree whose leaf provides oil on distillation, while the harvested branches furnish a
valuable fuel wood supply.

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 3.2. Fast growing species for plantation

a. Construction timber include Dipterocarpus spp., Hopea odorata, Anisoptera costata,

Tarretia Javanica, Eucalyptus spp., Pterocarpus pedatus, Afzelia xylocarpa, Terminalia
alata, Xylia dilabriformis, Sindoza cochinchinensis, Tectona grandis.

b. Furniture include: Dalbergia cochinchinensis, Dalbergia bariensis, Afzelia xylocarpa,

Pterocarpus pedatus, Toona febrifuga, Tectona grandis.

c. For ply wood include: Dipterocarpus alatus, Dipterocarpus costatus, Anisoptera costata,
Mangifera duperreana

d. Paper industries: Pinus merkusii, Acassia spp, Eucalyptus spp. ,Bamboo

4. Institutional framework and capacity-building activities

A statement on national forest policy was issued by the Royal Government of Cambodia in
2002. It directs the management of forest resources towards the national goals of environment
protection, biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction, economic development and good
governance.

According to forestry law, provision is made for gene conservation within protection forest,
and within special management areas of forest concession. Application can be made to the Royal
Government of Cambodia ( RGC) by MAFF to designate appropriate areas of the permanent forest
reserve as protection forest. Management plans will be prepared, implemented and enforced for
these areas by the forest administration. Within the permanent forest reserve, the ministry of MAFF
has the authority to issue permits for the establishment of botanical gardens or experimental station,
and the establishment of forest nurseries to provide seedling, and local people in tree planting
activities.

A forest genetic resource strategy is in the process of development. The process includes a
number of diverse stakeholder, and covers the selection of priority species, species distribution and
gene ecological zoning, conservation status of key populations, methods of conservation, and
organization and implementation of the strategy.

The RGC ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1995, and the forest
sector has been represented through the preparation of the mandatory National Report on Biological
Diversity, and the National Biodiversity and Action Plan. The RGC view the CBD as a framework
to achieve sustainable development through the sustainable use and protection of biodiversity, and
is now taking serious steps towards implementing conservation program and awareness- raising for
the sound use and conservation of biodiversity resources.

From 1999, with financial support from the Royal Government of Denmark-DANIDA, a
tree seed project was formulated with nine counterpart staff and one technical advisor. The
objective of the project is to promote the use of good quality tree seed from good seed sources.
Since 1999, the CTSP has conducted many training courses for seed user and producer. The project
also publishes thousands of posters, species leaflet and technical books for distribution during Arbor
Day and to provincial foresters, nursery managers, farmers, NGOs and other seed users. A series of
TV sports on the subject of using good quality seed and of conservation of priority species are being
developed by the CTSP in collaboration with DFW.

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 In 2002, with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA),
the DFW established a training centre. A number of courses have already been conducted on
different subjects related to the field of forestry.

5. Reference

-Cambodia Tree Seed Project (CTSP),2003. Seed source registration. The Department of
Forestry and Wildlife, Phnom Penh. 23 pp.

- Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DFW).2001. Technical Report on Development

Plant for the Sustainable Forest Management in Cambodia. Phnom Penh, Cambodia 24 pp.

- Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DFW)/ Reforestation Office.2002. Untitled Papers

relating to plans for planting stations and nurseries. Phnom Penh, Cambodia

- Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DFW).2003.Cambodia Forestry Statisticsto 2002.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

- Forestry Administration, / Statistics section Planning and Accounting Finance Office. May
2007 , Cambodia Forestry Statistics 2006 , Phnom Penh, Cambodia

-Hang, C.N,2002. Economic planning and protected areas: toward the sustainable
management of natural resource. Working Paper, May 2002, Ministry of Finance, Phnom
Penh, Cambodia

-Soktha, M.2001. The state of forest management and conservation in Cambodia. pp3-16
in Proceeding of the Southeast Asian Moving Workshop on Conservation, Management and
Utilization of Forest Genetic Resources ( J.Koskela, S. Appanah, A.P.Pedersen and M.D.
Markopoulos,eds). FORSPA & FAO, Bankok, Thailand.

6. Abbrevation

FA - Forestry Administration
DFW - Department of Forestry and Wildlife
CTSP - Cambodia Tree Seed Project
STd - Double Steer
CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity
RGC - The Royal Government of Cambodia
MAFF - Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries