Regardless of propagation method, young plants do best under shade, but require full sun once established. Land preparation consists of deep ploughing followed by harrowing. Should be planted at the beginning of the rainy season with optional supplemental irrigation during establishment. Spacing of approximately 100 trees/ha at 12 x 8 m or 10 x 10 m apart. Can be grown on a variety of soils, but thrives on alluvial, coastal, well-drained sandy loam, or clay loam soils. Good drainage is essential as trees may shed their fruit when the soil is excessively wet. Some cultivars (especially interspecific hybrids) have adapted to shallow, calcareous soils and appear to tolerate high saline conditions. After establishment they require little management. Insect pollinated.
Native to
Region
Indonesia
Exotic in
SE Asia
Indonesia
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Tree Benefits and Uses
- Food
- Livestock Forage
- Lumber
- Medicinal
- Product
The fruit can be eaten raw, boiled, pickled, candied, marinated, steamed or roasted. The fruit is fried and made into sukun chips. The leaves are eaten by cattle, goats, pigs, horses, and elephants, and excess fruit waste can be fed to animals. Horses will eat the bark, young branches, and shoots, so they should be kept away from new plantings. The wood is very light, durable, and resistant to termites. Is used in house, furniture, and canoe construction. Toasted flowers are rubbed on the gums around aching teeth to ease pain, the latex and juice from crushed leaves are used to treat ear infections, skin ailments, and fungal diseases. The latex is massaged into the skin to treat broken bones, sprains, and back pain. The latex is diluted and taken internally to treat stomach problems. The root is an astringent used in skin ailments, and the bark treats headache.
- Coffee Shade
- Soil Improvement