Alternative Tree for Conservation

Trembesi Tree

We often hear about environmental problems. Anywhere and anytime people talk
about it. Some of them aware to repair this earth. Not only people, any kind of
organization, institution, even state institution or private institution want to belong
conservation project. That’s good. They know what they supposed to do. They begin
to change their habit solely because they want to show their attention for this earth.
Government also play role in this case. They make a program called “ One Man One
Tree”. They move together with people, organizations and institutions effort
greening this earth. They hold reforesting in everywhere. Mountain, river bank and
along ride side. Do you know what tree/plant is selected to be icon? It is trembesi
tree. Why? What kind of plant is it? What’s wrong with another trees? What are the
potential advantages of this tree?

Trembesi tree, this tree is supposed originate from Mexico, Peru and Brazil. But it
has been dispersed in all of tropical climate zone, include Indonesia.

Description:

Stem : it’s big, spherichal, 10-20 m in high, brown-blackness color

Leaves : complex leaf @ length 2-6 cm, width 1-4 cm, with margo integer,
green color and slippery surface

Root : reach wide area, capability to absorb water is very strong

Flower : red-yellowness color

Fruit : pea-shaped, 30-40 cm in length

Seed : hard oval-shaped, about 5 mm in length and brown-blackness color

Local name: Kayu Ambon (Malay), Trembesi, Munggur, Punggur, Meh (Java)

Tabel of comparison

Absorption Capability
Local name Scientific name
CO2(Kg/tree/year)
1 Trembesi Samanea saman 28.448,39
2 Cassia Cassia sp 5.295,47
3 Kenanga Canangium odoratum 756,59
4 Pingku Dysoxylum excelsum 720,49
5 Beringin Ficus benyamina 535,90
6 Krey payung Fellicium decipiens 404,83
7 Matoa Pornetia pinnata 329,76
8 Mahoni Swettiana mahagoni 295,73
9 Saga Adenanthera pavoniana 221,18
10 Bungkur Lagerstroema speciosa 160,14
11 Jati Tectona grandis 135,27
12 Nangka Arthocarpus heterophyllus 126,51
13 Johar Cassia grandis 116,25
14 Sirsak Annona muricata 75,29
15 Puspa Schima wallichii 63,31
16 Akasia Acacia auriculiformis 48,68
17 Flamboyan Delonix regia 42,20
18 Sawo kecik Manilkara kauki 36,19
19 Tanjung Mimusops elengi 34,29
20 Bunga merak Caesalpinia pulcherrima 30,95
21 Sempur Dilena retusa 24,24
22 Khaya Khaya anthotheca 21,90
23 Merbau pantai Intsia bijuga 19,25
24 Akasia Acacia mangium 15,19
25 Angsana Pterocarpus indicus 11,12
26 Asam kranji Pithecelobium dulce 8,48
27 Saputangan Maniltoa grandiflora 8,26
28 Dadap merah Erythrina cristagalli 4,55
29 Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum 2,19
30 Asam Tamarindus indica 1,49
31 Kempas Coompasia excels 0,20

Potential advantages:

1. The most CO2 absorption than other

2. Its roots can absorb water maximally. It suitabel for critical land or mountain to prevent
landslide and flashflood
3. The stem is used as material building
4. The seed not only as snack (like kwaci) but also function as laxative

5. And the leaf also can be used for skin disease medicine.

Potential disadvantages:

1. It has big and wide root lines, so it often damage buildings around it
2. it has thick foliage that usually cover other plant under it, so the plant can not growth
well.