Tales of Siam: Stories From the Heart of the Forest
Tree species found in each region are highly dependent on soil type and moisture. Soils in Northern Thailand are mostly very acidic. There are many forested areas where soils are rich in organic matter. Some common soils found in the region are Reddish Soil, Sandy Soil, Mountainous Soil, and many more. Because of this, the main types of trees that grow in this region are evergreen and deciduous.
Butea Monosperma
Common Name:
Flame of the Forest, Dhak
Flame of the Forest, Dhak
Thai Name:
Thong Gwao (ทองกวาว)
Ecological Niche:
Thong Gwao (ทองกวาว)
Thong Gwao is not commonly found in the wild. Instead, it grows in very degraded, fire-damaged areas. It is frequently planted for its flame-colored flowers and grows best in sunny, tropical locations with deep, fertile, well-drained soils. The tree prefers to be in consistent moisture and needs to be protected from strong winds.
(Photo by Prasongsom Punyauppa-path on Unsplash)
Mammea Siamensis
Common Name:
Saraphi
Saraphi
Thai Name:
สารภี
Ecological Niche:
สารภี
Saraphi is often planted for its fragrant flowers and is uncommon in less-disturbed forests. The tree is native to Southeast Asia, and is particularly found in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. It is best grown by sowing seeds into a well-drained, sandy soil mix and kept moist. It should be kept in a warm, humid environment and should be protected from direct sunlight.
(Photo by Marcoarbo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Tectona Grandis
Common Name:
Teak
Teak
Thai Name:
Sak (สัก)
Ecological Niche:
Sak (สัก)
Sak is best grown in sunny places, especially under direct sunlight. The most suitable soil to use is deep, well-drained, fertile alluvial-colluvial soil with a pH of 6.5 ~ 8 in order for it to fully grow properly. The tree flourishes in wet environments, therefore, a 3-5 months dry period is necessary for high growth quality.
(Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
