DISTRIBUTION, GROWTH AND SITE REQUIREMENTS OF TEAK

The natural distribution of teak covers discontinuous regions in South and Southeast Asia. These regions are located within the total area o f tropical summer-rain climate characterized by distinct rainy and dry seasons. The successful teak plantations are found in discontinuous a reas with fertile soils, which are intrazonal and atonal soils derived from limestones, base-rich igneous rocks and alluvial materials. The discontinuous distribution of natural forests and plantations of teak is attributed to the discontinuous occurrence of suitable intrazonal a nd atonal soils. The dominant trees of natural forests in zonal soil a reas under the same climate are deciduous dipterocarp species. The opt imum soil conditions for teak growth include good drainage, deep subso il, slightly acid to alkaline pH and abundance of bases, especially Ca . Emphasis is placed on yield tables and site quality maps for the eff icient management of plantations, and on plant indicator methods such as trial planting and plant indicators for site selection.