| Laurel (Cordia alliodora) is one
of Panama’s most common softwoods whose two-tone gold-colored heartwood
is used for common construction, as well as for furniture; it is mature
in 8 to 10 years with yields of up to 600 board feet of marketable lumber
when fully grown. Though less precious than teak at $.50 per board
foot (current wholesale domestic price, unmilled), laurel grows easily
in many terrains, needs little maintenance and does not require pruning.
Laurel is noted for its straight, tall trunks. Other indigenous species
worth considering include Roble de Sabana (Spanish oak); Cedro Espino (spiny
cedar); Nispero (chicle tree); Caoba (mahogany), Cocobolo (rosewood), Criollo
(ironwood)—the list goes on and on. Though most tropical hardwoods
(with longer maturities than laurel) flourish best in areas of regrowing
pastureland or secondary growth forests requiring a non-linear approach
to planting, it may be worth the effort to establish a true reforestation
project of mixed species in these areas. Increasingly, the demand for fine
hardwoods such as Nazareno (purple heart), Ron Ron (goncalo alves), Coco
Mono (monkey coconut) and the like, is increasing as fewer and fewer of
these mature trees are to be found in the wild.
Supply and Demand
The Forestry and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) of the U.N. report, State of the World’s Forests 2001, states that:
“The estimated net annual change in forest area worldwide during 1990-2000
was –9.4 million hectares representing the estimated annual rate of deforestation
of 14.6 million has. and the annual rate of forest area increase of 5.2
million has.”
The International Tropical Timber
Organization (ITTO), the clearing house for information and prices on tropical
hardwoods worldwide, states that “tropical hardwood log imports rose by
25% between 1998 and 1999 with a 3.6 million m3 gap between imports and
exports in 2000.” Latin American countries processed virtually all
tropical logs harvested in 1998-2000, according to ITTO’s annual report
published in January 2002.
The hard numbers on hardwoods speak
for themselves. With the supply of wild hardwoods rapidly running
out, more restrictions being placed on log exports, and increasing demand
worldwide, there is little doubt that the hardwood plantation of the future
will have substantial value.
Panama has many advantages for the
investor who chooses trees. Land and labor costs are reasonable.
There are few, if any, property taxes to pay. Under Law 24, future
profits on logs and lumber are exonerated, as is any sales tax.
Money, perhaps, does not really grow
on trees, but in Panama many investors are already proving, it comes remarkably
close.
Paul and Cindy Cody have lived
in Isla Bocas del Toro for the past six and a half years and have planted
over 150,000 trees and sold more than 72 square kilometers of farmland
in the province, mostly for government-approved tree farms. Contact them
on: E-Mail: trees@cwp.net.pa
tel. (507) 757 9751
Send a check for $50 made payable
to Gloria Ellis to: Gloria Ellis, 665 Moraine Street, Marshfield, MA 02050.
When she has this, a copy of the business plan will be downloaded to you.
Don't forget to include your email address!
Links: http://realestate.escapeartist.com/P-22443
http://realestate.escapeartist.com/P-22394
Addendum:
The Bocas Del Toro Archipelago
- The most popular place in Panama is Bocas Del Toro - and with good
reason. There is more to do in Bocas Del Toro than anywhere in Central
America and the Caribbean combined. It is the Caribbean, the lowest
priced real estate in the Caribbean, it is Panama, and Bocas
is just an hour from the high-tech international banking center of Panama
City, and minutes from the European ambiance of San Jose, Costa Rica. (In
fact it's only minutes by water ferry to Costa Rica,) and it's sailing,
diving and surfing is world renown.
What makes
Bocas Del Toro so inviting? - It's the wide range of activities
and the international flavor. Boquete will never be an international
community, merely a retirement location of sorts where people go to listen
to their hair fall out. Bocas Del Toro on the other hand has already
reached 'critical mass' as an international expat haven. Unlike Belize,
to make another comparison, Bocas has no hurricanes, no 'Rasta'
crime, no miles of tropical swamp, and no mosquitoes. Belize has no surf,
no decent cities in proximity where one can enjoy the city life.
Surfs Up! Yes, Bocas Del Toro
has great surf. The Archipelago has everything. European restaurants,
a modern airport, internet connection, telecommunications, a peaceful and
friendly population, low crime, and a very interesting cultural scene of
expatriates from around the world. There is bargain real estate.
There is San Cristobal with $5,000 per acre waterfront lots, and Isla Solarte,
an entire island, minutes from Bocas Town has a well planned expat development.
We have an entire section on Bocas Del Toro Real Estate - See
The Bocas Del Toro Real Estate Section - Find out about Bocas Del Toro
and you'll find out why you'll want to live there. It's already the
best expat haven in the world. Come see.
Boating,
Sailing, Zodiac Jamming - Everyone in the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago
seems to own a boat. In fact you can live in Bocas without a car,
but everyone wants a boat. Water taxis abound, but it's more fun
to jump in the family zodiac and go shopping, diving, surfing, fishing,
or just island hopping. The extraordinary calm and protected waters
of the Archipelago mean that one can go on the water 365 days a year. No
hurricanes or inclement weather, and an endless archipelago that is an
ecological paradise. |
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