The tree prized for its long, productive life is turning into a headache for the communities that have embraced it, creating a safety risk in some and leaving others with extremely old, unproductive plantations.
The boom-to-bust life cycle of coconut trees are causing headaches in communities across North Queensland and the Pacific .
"I think we take out 200 trees a year but there's still 2,000 left, or three or four ," he said.On the picturesque shores of the Pacific islands, many communities would be envious of the productivity of Ingham's trees.Carmel Pilotti is an associate scientist at The Pacific Community , an international organisation supporting sustainable development in the region.
"There'll be a lag period between the time you cut the senile coconut palms to the time where the smallholders are able to get income again from the coconut tree."In the meantime, Australian researchers are investigating other ways smallholder farmers could make money from senile coconuts, like converting the coconut stem into a wood-like product.
Dr Pilotti said creating a veneer and other products from coconut wood could offer economic security and an incentive for farmers to replant.
Senile Coconuts Cocowood Trees Danger Safety Falling Injuries Smallholders Farmers Wood Pacific Harvest Building Construction
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