Precious Indigenous Woods For Coffee Shade

Precious Indigenous Woods For Coffee Shade

Summary

We were expecting to have the seedlings developed and ready for the establishment at the farm plots. Unfortunately, the project is delayed because of unforeseen complications at the nursery’s water source. The water distribution system which originates at a spring box located in an isolated area, 3 miles from the nursery, had suffered severe damages caused by a series of land slides. Water service was interrupted for over a 4 months period. The system has been restored to be able to have the seedlings ready by December 2008. We apologize for not being able to report some results at this time.

Objectives/Performance Targets

We will combine coffee with non-traditional precious wood trees to provide for a sustainable coffee producing area. Precious wood trees have never been planted for shade in Puerto Rico’s coffee region. We will to look forward to native precious woods because it will have more economic impact for farmers. These species are also much sought after by the local artesian industry for furniture, craft items, boats, decks, cabinets, yachts among other wood products.

This project will research native precious wood species for suitability to alley cropping systems to produce higher elevation gourmet coffee. Some of these trees such as Manilkara bidentata, Buchenavia tetraphylla and Bucida buceras L., are deep rooted and well adapted to resisting hurricane and high wind problems.

Besides higher returns, precious woods provide shade on coffee crops and other multiple benefits on natural resources. The planting of these species will assist in bio-diversity concerns on the island. They will protect soil from erosion, and improve water quality and quantity of reservoirs in the coffee region. Tree species such as Thespesia grandiflora, Hibiscus elatus Sw. and Ocotea moschata are excellent for the establishment riparian forest buffers. The entire coffee region (75,000 acres) has been programmed to be part of the ecological corridor of Puerto Rico. This project is a great opportunity to preserve native precious woods. Several of these species are threatened species.

Accomplishments/Milestones

We have made several visits and site evaluations to different fields on each of the cooperators’ farms in order to determine those precious wood trees suited to different soils, altitudes and climatic conditions.

Nurseryman, Biologist and Coordinator have selected those tree species (Cordia alliodora, Guarea guidonia, Juglans jamaicensis, Thespesia grandiflora, Thanthoxilum flavum, Prunus occidentalis) taking into consideration the availability of the seeds during this season and suitability under of those conditions found on cooperators’ fields. Assistance was provided on the collection of seeds.

Depot Cells and trays from Stuewe and Sons, Inc, and other products (galvanized plate, growing mix medium, welding wire) were purchased as established in the project proposal. — The tables for the seedlings at the nursery were rebuilt (it required earth movement and earth bank preparation, placing the nursery tables on earth bank, and welding expanded metal plate on 3 tables) — Also, the nursery tables were painted — and PVC pipe connections to irrigation system were restored.

Work left:

* Develop the 1,700 seedlings of precious wood trees.

* Collect the data at the nursery (height, and percent survival)

* Transport the seedlings to coffee farms.

* Establish and grow tree species on 3 farm plots, 3 acres each.

* Data will be collected from farmers relating to (1) planting costs and (2) maintenance costs.

* Collect data at the farm site concerning (1) tree height, (2) percent survival, and (3) diameter after the 12 months establishment period. Revisit farms in 5 years to observe growth and results of coffee shade.

* Carryout the outreach plan of this project and hold events on each of the 3 farms to disseminate results as suggested by program reviewers.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

We propose to combine coffee with non-traditional precious wood trees to provide for a sustainable coffee producing area. Native precious woods will have a more economic impact for farmers.

Protected coffee market needs more returns for sustainability. This project is about protecting native trees for the production of fine wood products. We have a great demand for home furniture and art crafts, yachts, home cabinets, boats, decks, fine instruments, boats, panels, home decoration, fruit and vegetable containers and soft drink cases. We have artisans, cabinet makers, home decorators waiting for this kind of woods in order to expand their business operations. Precious woods combination with coffee will increase farm income since woods are potentially as productive as the coffee.

This project seeks to research native precious wood species for suitability to alley cropping systems to produce higher elevation gourmet coffee. Some of these trees such as Manilkara bidentata, Buchenavia tetraphylla and Bucida buceras L., are deep rooted and well adapted to resisting hurricane and high wind problems.

Besides higher returns, precious woods provide shade on coffee crops and other multiple benefits on natural resources. The planting of these species would assist in bio-diversity concerns on the island. They will protect soil from erosion, and improve water quality and quantity of reservoirs in the coffee region. Tree species such as Thespesia grandiflora, Hibiscus elatus Sw. and Ocotea moschata are excellent for the establishment riparian forest buffers.

In this project we want to increase biodiversity. Coffee has always grown under shade but never been established with native wood trees in organized planting patterns. Wood trees established for windbreaks will reduce hurricane damages on coffee. Tree species such as Manilkara bidentata, Buchenavia tetraphylla, Bucida buceras and Hibiscus elatus Sw. have proved to be more tolerant to strong winds on the higher elevations of the region. Wood trees will reduce soil erosion and sedimentation problems. They will increase soil fertility by the addition of leaves, branches and roots to increase organic matter into the soil. The environment with shade coffee will be more favorable for the co-existence of different organisms. Species such as Petitia domingensis, Cordia alliodora, Zanthoxylum flavum are good honey plants to attract bees. The Tabonuco specie provides food and shelter to Puerto Rican Parrot, native bird included on the list of threatened and endangered species in Puerto Rico.

Collaborators: