Tree Types
Trees for Travel strongly believes in planting trees that occur (or occurred) naturally in the region in question; these are obviously the best suited to local conditions. In Ecuador , these tree types have significantly diminished, as is the local population’s knowledge of the practical value of the wood and other forest products. This generally results in the plantation of non-indigenous species such as eucalyptus and pine (Pinus radiata and Pinus patula). Eucalyptus is planted up to an altitude of 2800m and is mostly used as a construction timber. The pine species grow at higher elevations and produce timber that will be utilised in construction and furniture making. At first, Profafor accepted the planting of these tree species on condition that indigenous species would be planted after the first felling. To make the planting of indigenous tree species more attractive, there has to be an economic advantage. This has been shown by the fact that the wood is of good quality and delivers important secondary products such as fruits, flowers, leaves and bark. These various properties have been researched to give further insight into the practical value of the different indigenous tree and shrub species. Ecopar is such a research program that has illustrated the importance of indigenous species resulting in an increased use of these tree sorts since 1999.