Red Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba)
Scientific Name: Bombax ceiba — Red Silk-Cotton Tree, Semal.
Native Home: South and Southeast Asia.
Height: 20–40 metres.
Lifespan: Several decades, often 60 years or more.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Lightweight wood used for packing cases, plywood and low-load applications.
Harvesting: Wood is harvested for timber; seed floss is collected for fibre.
Age to Harvest: Approximately 10–20 years for timber, depending on growing conditions and intended use.
Products: Kapok-like floss, timber, plywood, seed oil and traditional products.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Floss has been used for stuffing pillows and mattresses, while flowers and bark have traditional uses.
Global Spread: Native to Asia and planted in tropical and subtropical regions for its fibre, timber and ornamental value.
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