Tamanu Tree (Calophyllum inophyllum)
Scientific Name: Calophyllum inophyllum — Tamanu, Alexandrian Laurel.
Native Home: Tropical coastal regions of South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Height: 8–20 metres.
Lifespan: Several decades, potentially over 100 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Durable wood used for construction, boatbuilding and furniture.
Harvesting: Mature seeds are collected and processed to extract tamanu oil.
Age to Harvest: Fruit production commonly begins after around 5–8 years, depending on growing conditions.
Products: Tamanu oil, cosmetic ingredients, timber, ornamental plants and coastal windbreaks.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Seed oil has traditionally been applied to skin, while the wood has been used in boatbuilding.
Global Spread: Widely cultivated across tropical coastal Asia, the Pacific Islands and other warm coastal regions for oil, timber and landscaping.
){kind=link}