<i>MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON</i>, A USEFUL AND VERSATILE TREE FOR ACID SULPHATE SOILS AND SOME OTHER POOR ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

SUMMARY Melaleuca leucadendron (a species complex) is a very versatile tree which thrives in a wide range of environments, often on poor or degraded soils, and may be used for many purposes. It is most often found in pure stands, seems to prefer wet or temporarily inundated soils, and is tolerant of acid or brackish water In West Malaysia and parts of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam the acid sulphate soils carry a natural vegetation of mangrove in saline areas and of melaleuca in the freshwater or brackish areas Thus melaleuca may be a good tree to plant more widely on acid sulphate soils. Its tolerance of water-saturated or flooded soils may allow planting on potential acid sulphate soils without drainage, which would cause oxidation and formation of actual acid sulphate soils. Melaleuca's natural distribution, ecological requirements establishment and management methods are reviewed, and the main uses of its bark, wood, volatile oil and seeds are listed.