Rubber Trees Alongside Other Large Tree's

[chris21]

Hi Gents

I am about to plant new rubber seedling on my land but there are a few older much larger trees there as well I dont want to cut them down they are very beautifull [not too many], is this a problem for my rubber trees having a few large tree in there to.

Any comment are wellcome Thanks

Chris

[stoneman]

As you know, rubber trees will grow very tall very fast...And they will only grow straight up if they have constant sunlight...I have 5 or 6 trees that are near a large old tree on some adjoining property and all 5 of them have started to bend away from the large old tree...I am propping them up with bamboo poles, but not sure how well that is going to work..

Stoneman

[tongard]

Hi Gents

I am about to plant new rubber seedling on my land but there are a few older much larger trees there as well I dont want to cut them down they are very beautifull [not too many], is this a problem for my rubber trees having a few large tree in there to.

Any comment are wellcome Thanks

Chris

[tongard]

HI I have asked my wife and her father who have been growing rubber trees in Loei for many years about planting next to large trees and they both say it is not a good idea.The large trees take all the moisture and nutrients from the ground and this prevents healthy growth of the young trees.She advises that you cut the older trees down as we have had to do or plant no closer than 10mtrs to the trees and even then you will have to water constantly during dry season until they establish large enough roots.Hope this has been some help to you.

[scotbeve]

Hi Chris and tongard,

Maybe you could use tongard's suggestion - which is true in fact - and keep the tree planting 10 m away on the north east, and (perhaps) the west areas of the large trees.

[chris21]

HI I have asked my wife and her father who have been growing rubber trees in Loei for many years about planting next to large trees and they both say it is not a good idea.The large trees take all the moisture and nutrients from the ground and this prevents healthy growth of the young trees.She advises that you cut the older trees down as we have had to do or plant no closer than 10mtrs to the trees and even then you will have to water constantly during dry season until they establish large enough roots.Hope this has been some help to you.

Tongard

Ok will do, thanks for the reply.

[chris21]

As you know, rubber trees will grow very tall very fast...And they will only grow straight up if they have constant sunlight...I have 5 or 6 trees that are near a large old tree on some adjoining property and all 5 of them have started to bend away from the large old tree...I am propping them up with bamboo poles, but not sure how well that is going to work..

Stoneman

Ok stonman thans for your advise I wil seriuos look at cutting some of them down, it'a real shame they have been there for so long.

[scotbeve]

See above...

Hi Chris and tongard,

Maybe you could use tongard's suggestion - which is true in fact - and keep the tree planting 10 m away on the north east, and (perhaps) the west areas of the large trees.

[Sing_Sling]

We have several plantations and our business is in the rubber industry . . . nope, do not plant seedlings (hopefully you mean clones, as seedlings will give you very little latex) too close to other trees, especially large trees.

We see more and more greed creeping into the industry, from constant tapping to close planting . . . it will all lead to the trees not producing.

[scotbeve]

Sing Sling,

Indeed... we planted our trees 7m x 4m enough room for inter-cropping whilst still young.

[Sing_Sling]

Sing Sling,

Indeed... we planted our trees 7m x 4m enough room for inter-cropping whilst still young.

Yes, that is a good distance. In terms of fertiliser, try doing it four times a year instead of two . . . same amount, just more spaced out. And don't fertilise near the trunk, rather where the roots are. After a few years you can place the fertiliser between the trees, therefore saving time and servicing two trees at once.

Have you tried upward tapping? Even without hormone addition you will increase your yield by up to 20% as you are breaching the latex tube every time you tap.

Edited March 28, 2008 by Sing_Sling