Abstract

The present compilation is an attempt to collate information pertaining to woody species of Kerala, so that foresters, traders, processors as well as present and prospective users have a ready source of information on the well known, as also the lesser known timber species of the State. It is a summation of existing infromation gathered from published sources, supplemented by our observations. From over 300 tree species in the forests of the State, avaliable information on among other details gross structure, properties, processing and uses of 162 species, has been provided. These species include those of restricted occurence with little economic value as also those cultivated extensively for industrial end uses. Instroduced species, cultivated in or outside the forests have also been included. An attempt has thus been made to cover most of the timber species-whether well known or obscure, indigenous or exotic, widely utilized or sparingly used. The species are listed in alphabetical order (with family) for easy reference. Apart from the scientific names, each species is indexed under trade and local names, with appropriate cross references. The information on anatomical structure and data on properties are not exclusively from wood samples of Kerala origin. Until intensive investigations on local samples are completed, the information provided in this handbook should generally be adequate, as gross structure and properties of a species are acceptable, although, in finer details, there may be variation not only between localities, but also within a locality and even within a tree