http://www.humanflowerproject.com/index.php/weblog/comments/lignum_vitae_lets_pl ay_hard_ball/

To destroy lignum vitae trees and then not utilize the wood does indicate the mentality of a so called developer.

If you read the article lv guitar picks sell for maybe 2,000 Jamaican Dollars! not US$ which I can smell is about to rebound. Both J$ and utilisation of lv wood for tiny but high value added objects. Carving chisels wanted!

Who remembers the Negril genius of erotic hardwood amulet carving.

He was getting US$ 500+ each from the 70's.

Turey, are you familiar with Moringa, aka Horseradish Tree, Drumstick Tree, grows in the tropics and although bitter is reputed to be very nutritious and easily propagated? I saw some research by a State Univ. of NY (Cobleskill campus), Prof Geo. Crosby, who's promoting it as sustainable food source.

Yes Van, a neighbour in Kingston from Shri Lanka had one and told me it had foodical med virtues.

Never tried it.

This tree could be a part of Jamaica's come back! Use the Mortar made from linum vitae to refine cofee, corn, peanut, cassava flour etc, get exercise while processing your grains, involve children old enough in this trditional art for preservation of culture, family activity and industriousness,stimulates concentration,support local skilled workers and save on eletricity.

They make a great shade tree for cool natural relaxation that feels better than any air condition.

We will not forget souviners that are made from it, mending things around the home from the gum.

I would love to know if anyone has information on the properties of the gum that was used years ago to relieve tooth ache.

We do not need any scientist nor government to tell us we need to plant more valuable trees such as lignum vitae.

I hope we have learnt our lessons well.We need to take pride in our natural blessings and use what nature has blessed us with to advance ourselves. Just look around expecially in St.Elizabeth. Its there. Let us wise up. We have it ! Let us use it !

Highly appreciated turey.

It took 5-6 years after transplanting a 6" sucker planted from seed in a cut juice box to get shade. Empty paint containers can be used to contain them to quite a size. And yes, lignum vitae seed will sprout.

Costs $0 + TLC. Provide a spot they like, protect, mulch and water.

If selling I'd wait until they are about 18".

A friend transplanted a second time into 40 gal drums and tended them until they could shade and fruit.

Free idea: assuming Cayman & Turks Isles have no tree nurseries, with what we could supply, I'm sure business is waiting. I saw huge palm and other trees being moved around in Fla, no rocket science needed if big is wanted.

Sweetsop, custard apple, naseberry, soursop, the plums, lignum, mahogany, red bullet, fustic etc.

Start saving seeds from the next fruiting.

Why dash* whe any seed.

*Unfocussed disposal of recycleable material, time to let this word and action go.