Broussonetia papyrifera (L) L. Hertit. Ex Vent.

Description :

A medium, deciduous tree. 3 to 12 m tall. The crown is spreading and rounded. The leaves are simple, but varied in shape, 5 to 20 cm long. The bark is light grey with shallow ridges or fissures. It is dioecious. The reddish yellow male flowers are in small catkins. The reddish to orange red female flowers are in solitary, rounded heads 2 to 3 cm in diameter, and occur between March and August. The fruit is a berry containing 5 to 15 small seeds which ripen between May and September. It coppices easily and aggressively occupies shady sites. It is relatively insect and disease free. It is reproduced both from seed and by vegetative means. The seeds are small. Birds eat the berries and hasten the tree's rapid spread. It grows very fast, 1 m a year in height growth is not uncommon. Diameter of 15 cm has been recorded in a 5-year period. However, because of its aggressive nature, care is needed when recommending planting as there is a possibility of it escaping attention, spreading from seed & root suckers and becoming a weed. It is also being labelled as an allergen causing cold, sneezing and cough. Sapwood is greyish white; heartwood is light brown with Calorific value of 5100 kcal/kg, having Straight Grains.

Distribution :

A native tree of Japan, Southeast Asia and China. In Pakistan it is successfully planted and established in the plains and hills. It has been planted successfully in many other parts of the world. It has become a weed in Islamabad and measures are being taken to eradicate it. A tolerant tree that does very well in shade. It grows on a variety of well drained, rich soils, but will not grow well on poor sites. It requires a precipitation zone of 700 to 2000 mm/yr or more. It prefers a sub-humid warm, sub-tropical monsoon climate with a temperature range of 0 to 40°C on elevations up to 900 m.

Uses :

This is a good tree for reforestation projects because of its fast growth and its suitability on dry hillsides. It may have potential as a farm forestry tree. Fodder, bark (for pulp, tapa cloth), erosion control, furniture, boxes and packing crates, sports equipment, and veneer and plywood are multiple uses of this tree.