Page 8 - NRG of commercial importance

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above 1.8 m in girth in nvo channels each at a
time. The first channel or each set of two
channels is tapped for five years. At the end of
five years, a new channel or a new set of two
channels, as the case maybe, is started leaving
an inter space of 10 cm between the old and
new channels. At the end of second five year
period, another channel or set of two
channels is again made leaving another inter
space and so on till tapping has progressed
Boxmetlad.
right round the tree. This is the common
mode of tapping that is being practiced in
orrt of the blaze and is collected in the box.
India and the trees are regularly tapped
However, this method is very damaging and
without any rest.
the trees tend to die within few years after
(ii) Hearry tapping: In heavy tapping (also
resin tapping is started.
known as tapping to death), maximum
(b) Cup and lip methodr In this method, the
possible out turn of the resin is derived before
outer bark of the tree is scraped off with the
the trees are due for felling and it is achieved
by cutting on the tree as many channels as it adze to a reasonably smooth surface of 60 cm
long, 15 cm wide and 25 cm above the point
can bear, with a minimum inter space of 10
cm between the successive channels. It is where the lip is fixed. In lighr tapping.
generah started five year in advance of main channels are initially located on south or
felling in prospective regeneration areas and south-west face of the tree as better yields are
obtained {rom the warmer aspects.
two years in advance of thinning in areas
marked for thinning. The lowest girth Subsequent channels are made in an anti-
clockwise direction. A cut of about 15 cm
prescribed for hea'r.y tapping is 60 cm.
broad and slightly slanting ounvards is made
There are four methods of tapping pine trees with a curved chisel and mallet about 25 cm
i.e. (i) Box method, (ii) Cup and 1ip method,
below the lower edge of the blaze. The lip, a
(iii) Rill method and (iv) Bore hole method. rectangular piece of galvanized iron (15 cm X
At present, three methods are commonly 5 cm), is driven into the cut to collect resin
employed for tapping pine trees in India. into a pot kept below. The pot is partially
These are (a) Box method, (b) Cup and lip covered to prevent pieces of bark, dirt etc.
method and (c) Rill rnethod. ftom falling into the cone, and also to
(a) Box method: This is the oldest method of minimize the evaporation of resins that
o resin tapping. A cavity or box of 10cm x 10 cm accumulate into it. In order to open up the
clogged resin ducts and aid in the smooth and
and upto 12 cm deep is chopped at the base of
the trees. It is meant to collect the resin as it continuous flow of resin, the channels are
exudes from the blaze or incision that is made freshened at definite inrervals.
just below the box, by chipping bark and
The cup and lip method of tapping has a
outer layer of the sapwood. The resin oozes