BOILAM TREE_(Anisoptera scaphula), a valuable and majestic timber tree.

The biological classification of the Boilam tree (Anisoptera scaphula):

Taxonomic Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Eudicots
• Order: Malvales
• Family: Dipterocarpaceae
• Genus: Anisoptera
• Species: Anisoptera scaphula

Key Characteristics:

• Family: Dipterocarpaceae, which includes tropical trees known for their high-quality timber.
• Habitat: Tropical lowland rainforests, especially in moist and fertile soils.
• Distribution: Found in Bangladesh (historically), India, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia.

This classification highlights its place within the plant kingdom and its ecological importance as a hardwood species native to tropical regions. Its extinction in Bangladesh emphasizes the need to protect its relatives and remaining populations elsewhere.

The Boilam tree (Anisoptera scaphula), a valuable and majestic timber tree once native to the forests of Bangladesh, is now considered extinct or critically endangered in the region. It was a part of the Dipterocarpaceae family, commonly known as hardwood trees, renowned for their economic and ecological importance. This tree was primarily found in the tropical forests of Sylhet, Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Cox’s Bazar.

Features of the Boilam Tree

1. Physical Characteristics:
   • The Boilam tree could grow up to 50 meters tall, with a straight trunk and a dense crown.
   • Its wood was durable, heavy, and resistant to decay, making it a prized material for construction, furniture, and shipbuilding.
2. Ecological Role:
   • The tree played a significant role in stabilizing the forest ecosystem, supporting wildlife, and maintaining soil fertility.

Reasons for Its Extinction in Bangladesh

1. Deforestation and Habitat Loss:
   • The forests of Sylhet and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where Boilam trees thrived, have been subjected to extensive logging, agriculture, and human settlement.
   • Urbanization and infrastructure projects further reduced the forested areas.
2. Overexploitation:
   • The high economic value of Boilam wood led to over-harvesting. It was extensively logged without adequate reforestation efforts.
3. Lack of Conservation Efforts:
   • Despite its importance, the Boilam tree did not receive targeted conservation attention. There was little effort to cultivate or protect this species in its natural habitat.
4. Forest Degradation:
   • Illegal logging, shifting cultivation (slash-and-burn), and unsustainable agricultural practices degraded the forest ecosystems where Boilam trees grew.
5. Climate Change:
   • Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns further stressed the already declining Boilam population.

The Boilam tree (Anisoptera scaphula) was highly valued for its many uses due to its durable wood and ecological significance. Below are the primary uses of the Boilam tree:

1. Timber and Construction Material

• Durable Wood: The Boilam tree produced heavy, strong, and rot-resistant wood, making it ideal for construction purposes.
• Applications:
  • Building houses and large structures like bridges.
  • Making railway sleepers due to its high strength and durability.
  • Boat and shipbuilding, as the wood was resistant to water damage.

2. Furniture and Interior Products

• The wood was used to craft high-quality furniture, flooring, and decorative items due to its attractive grain and durability.

3. Industrial Uses

• Used in the production of tools, agricultural implements, and machinery components requiring hard, sturdy wood.

4. Ecological Significance

• The Boilam tree played a role in stabilizing the ecosystem by:
  • Providing habitat and food for various wildlife species.
  • Improving soil fertility and maintaining forest health.

5. Medicinal and Cultural Uses (Minor)

• While not as prominent, some parts of the tree (e.g., bark or leaves) were traditionally used in folk medicine for minor treatments.

Reasons for Overexploitation

The Boilam tree’s utility, particularly as a high-quality timber source, led to overharvesting. Without sustainable harvesting practices or replantation, its population rapidly declined, ultimately leading to its extinction in Bangladesh. Today, the lessons learned emphasize the importance of balancing economic use with ecological preservation.

The Boilam tree (Anisoptera scaphula), like other hardwood species, was susceptible to certain insect pests and diseases that could compromise its health and growth. Below is an overview of potential pests, their impact, and preventive measures:

Insect and Pest Attacks

1. Bark Borers
   • Description: These insects bore into the bark and underlying wood, creating tunnels that weaken the tree.
   • Impact:
     • Reduced wood quality due to tunneling.
     • Increased susceptibility to fungal infections.
   • Examples: Common in tropical hardwoods are beetle species like longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) and bark beetles (Scolytidae).
2. Leaf-Eating Caterpillars
   • Description: Caterpillars feed on the tree’s leaves, reducing photosynthetic ability.
   • Impact:
     • Defoliation weakens the tree over time.
     • Growth reduction and susceptibility to secondary pests.
   • Examples: Moths and butterfly larvae are common culprits.
3. Sap-Sucking Insects
   • Description: Insects like aphids and scale insects suck sap from the tree, draining its nutrients.
   • Impact:
     • Yellowing and wilting of leaves.
     • Weakened overall growth.
   • Examples: Aphids (Aphidoidea), mealybugs (Pseudococcidae), and scale insects.
4. Termites
   • Description: Termites attack the roots, stems, and wood of the tree.
   • Impact:
     • Structural damage to the tree.
     • Death in severe cases due to compromised support.
   • Examples: Subterranean termites (Coptotermes spp.) and drywood termites (Cryptotermes spp.).

Preventive Measures

1. Forest Management
   • Maintain a clean forest floor by removing fallen branches and decaying wood to reduce breeding grounds for pests.
   • Promote mixed-species planting to discourage pest infestations specific to Anisoptera scaphula.
2. Biological Controls
   • Introduce natural predators, such as birds or parasitic wasps, to control pest populations.
   • Use entomopathogenic fungi or nematodes for pests like termites.
3. Chemical Treatments
   • Apply insecticides or pesticides selectively to control severe infestations.
   • Treat tree stumps and logs with anti-termite chemicals to protect harvested wood.
4. Silvicultural Practices
   • Prune and remove infested branches to stop the spread of pests.
   • Avoid waterlogging and ensure proper drainage to reduce susceptibility to root rot and associated pests.
5. Monitoring and Early Detection
   • Regularly inspect trees for signs of pest activity, such as boreholes, sawdust, or discolored leaves.
   • Set up pheromone traps or light traps to monitor and control pest populations.
6. Fungal and Secondary Infection Prevention
   • Protect against fungal pathogens that often follow pest damage by ensuring proper ventilation and light penetration within forests.

Sustainable Practices

Preventing pest and insect attacks on the Boilam tree would have required sustainable forestry practices, regular monitoring, and the integration of natural and chemical controls. These lessons should be applied to conserve other hardwood species still found in Bangladesh.