Bursera simaruba
Burseraceae FAMILY

Bursera simaruba

Bursera simaruba

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Gum tree is a broad-headed, aromatic tree with an attractive coppery bark[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. It generally grows to about 18 metres tall, but can reach 27 metres in Belize[ 378 Title Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean Publication USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207 Author Longwood.F.R. Publisher USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC. Year 1962 ISBN Description Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet. ]. The bole is unbuttressed and can be 60cm in diameter, though it tends to split low down into secondary boles[ 510 Title Trees of Costa Rica's Pacific Slope Publication Author Website http://www.cds.ed.cr/teachers/harmon/page1.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on over 80 species of tree from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. ]. Forest grown trees are usually tall and slender with a fairly straight bole; when growing in open positions the trees are generally short and often crooked[ 378 Title Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean Publication USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207 Author Longwood.F.R. Publisher USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC. Year 1962 ISBN Description Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet. ]. The tree is often exploited in the wild, especially for its resin, but is seldom cultivated for this purpose since it regenerates rapidly under natural conditions[ 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ]. It makes a good specimen tree and is often planted for shade on streets and beaches within its natural range[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. , 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical
Native RangeS. America - Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana; north through the Caribbean to Florida; C. America - Panama to Guatemala.
HabitatGenerally found in dry forests, but sometimes in wetter forests; common in advanced secondary growth[ 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ]. In the wetter areas of its range it is more likely to be found growing on slopes where the soil is shallow and dries quickly[ 510 Title Trees of Costa Rica's Pacific Slope Publication Author Website http://www.cds.ed.cr/teachers/harmon/page1.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on over 80 species of tree from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. ].