Propagated by seed planted directly but sometimes wild seedlings are collected and transplanted. Young trees require shade and wind-breaks may be needed in exposed sites to prevent breakage of leaves. Plant at 6-7 m or about 250 trees/ha. Tree reaches full size in 6-15 years. Fibers can be collected after 5-6 years then every 2 years. Can tap when flowering begins but usually only done from male inflorescence stalks. One inflorescence produces ~5 liters sap/day and can be tapped for 1-2 months with 2-4 inflorescences tapped at a time. Sap production maximized with tall inflorescence. Sago requires cutting the trunk and therefore is the last product obtained. Generally only trees ≥30 years are cut. Best planted on steeper slopes, easily eroding lands, or in single or double rows near farm boundaries due to its heavy shade and extensive root system. Good soil stabilizer.
Native to
Region
Indonesia
Exotic in
SE Asia
Indonesia
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Tree Benefits and Uses
- Food
- Lumber
- Medicinal
- Product
The fruit is consumed, used as a stimulant, and can be sold at local market, and the sugar palm, packaged palm, and male flower stalks used to make brown sugar, the young shoots used in cooking, the sap used for palm wine, and palm sugar stem core used for sago. Fibers and leaves are used for roofing, tools, crafts, and as cigarette wrappers, and most products can be obtained without felling the tree. The young roots are used to treat kidney stones, the old roots are used to treat toothache, alcohol obtained from fermented juice and distilled and mixed with herbs and roots of other plants is considered a general-purpose medicine, the sugar is used as a laxative, and the fine pulp occurring between the leaf sheaths is used to speed up recovery from burn wounds.
- Erosion Control
- Unknown
Maintains water quantity.
Important resource for the macaque group living in the heavily altered habitat, comprising more than 50 percent of its diet.