Sumaúma Tree (Ceiba samauma)
Scientific Name: Ceiba samauma — Sumaúma, a South American silk-cotton tree.
Native Home: Amazon rainforest of South America.
Height: 20–40 m.
Lifespan: Several decades, potentially over 100 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Lightweight wood used locally for simple construction and wooden products.
Harvesting: Seed pods are collected when mature, and the fluffy fibres are separated.
Age to Harvest: Around 10–20 years for useful timber, depending on growing conditions.
Products: Kapok-like fibre, stuffing, insulation, and lightweight timber.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Communities in the Amazon region have used the tree's fibres for stuffing and other practical purposes.
Global Spread: Native to tropical South America and mainly found in natural rainforest habitats. Its fibre and timber are used locally.
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