Trema orientalis is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or tree with a heavy branching, rounded to spreading crown, reaching heights of up to 18 meters.
It has a short, basally swollen bole that can reach 60 cm in diameter.
The plant has diverse traditional uses for food, medicine, and other commodities. It is widely utilized in agroforestry as a shade tree and pioneer species, and also grown in plantations for timber and ornamental purposes.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitat

Trema orientalis thrives in moist forests and dry scrub of open slopes, typically found at elevations ranging from 400 - 1,900 meters in southern China.
It also grows in open places on hillsides at elevations of 200 - 1,200 meters in Nepal.

Cultivation Status

Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Trema orientalis thrives in lowland humid tropics from sea level to 2,500 meters elevation.
It prefers annual daytime temperatures between 15 - 27°C, tolerating 8 - 34°C.
The plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°C when dormant, but young growth is susceptible to damage at -1°C.
It prefers mean annual rainfall between 1,500 - 3,000 mm, but can tolerate 1,000 - 4,000 mm.
Trema orientalis grows best in sunny positions with well-drained sandy soil.
It adapts to a wide range of soils from heavy clay to light sand, tolerating moderate alkalinity and salinity.
The extensive root system helps it withstand drought periods.
It prefers a pH range of 5.5 - 6.5, but tolerates 4.5 - 7.5.
This very fast-growing tree can reach harvestable size for pulpwood in just 3 - 4 years and coppices well.
It is intolerant of fire.

Edible Uses

The leaves and fruit are reported to be eaten in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Medicinal

Trema orientalis is vermifuge and has anti-plasmodium properties.
Bark and leaf decoctions are used for various conditions such as coughs, sore throat, asthma, bronchitis, gonorrhea, yellow fever, and toothache.
Leaves are considered a general antidote to poisons.
Bark infusion is used to control dysentery.
Tea made from roasted wood pieces treats dysentery.

Agroforestry Uses

Trema orientalis has extensive applications in agroforestry.
It is commonly planted as a shade tree in coffee and cocoa plantations and other crops in Asia and Africa.
As a pioneer species, it quickly colonizes clearings, flood-damaged riverbanks, and denuded poor soils.
It is widely used for soil reclamation in Southern Asia and aids in soil conservation.
The tree's mulch improves soil quality and it serves as a fallow species in shifting cultivation.

Other Uses

The bark provides fibers for making cords and ropes.
The seed contains a dark green fixed oil.
Bark yields black and brown dyes, while leaves provide a coffee-colored dye.
Bark and leaves contain saponin and tannin.
Wood is used for panel products, poles, drumsticks, and as a tropical hardwood for paper and pulp production with good tensile strength and folding endurance.
Trema orientalis produces ample firewood and excellent charcoal, suitable even for making gunpowder and fireworks.

Propagation

Seed requires dormancy breaking by storing at 2°C for 3 - 4 months.
Seeds need high light intensity for germination, with a rate around 30%.
Seed storage behavior is uncertain, viable for up to 6 months in hermetic storage at room temperature before viability rapidly declines.
Cuttings can also be used for propagation.