Perfect! Let’s design a comprehensive agroforestry guide combining Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang) and Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.), optimized for tropical Philippines conditions. I’ll focus on planting layout, growth compatibility, yield, and integrated management.
Agroforestry Guide: Cananga odorata + Agarwood
1. Concept Overview
- Objective: Combine Ylang-Ylang and Agarwood in a multi-story, high-value agroforestry system.
- Benefits:
- Diversified income: essential oil (Ylang-Ylang) + Agarwood chips/oil
- Shade and microclimate for Agarwood seedlings
- Enhanced biodiversity, soil health, and pest management
- Reduced land-use risk with multiple revenue streams
2. Tree Profiles for Integration
| Species | Canopy | Height | Light Requirement | Root Characteristics | Harvest Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cananga odorata | Medium (5–7 m) | 10–20 m | Full sun to partial shade | Deep, non-aggressive | Flowers 3–4 yrs (vegetative propagation) |
| Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis / Aquilaria spp.) | Medium–Tall (5–15 m young; 15–25 m mature) | 15–25 m | Partial shade when young | Deep taproot, non-invasive | Oil induction & harvest 6–10 yrs |
Compatibility Notes:
- Ylang-Ylang grows faster; provides partial shade for young Agarwood.
- Agarwood tolerates filtered sunlight; Ylang-Ylang does not compete aggressively for nutrients.
- Both trees prefer well-drained fertile soils with pH 5–7.5.
3. Planting Design & Spacing
Layout Principles
- Multi-story approach:
- Ylang-Ylang: intermediate canopy (5–7 m spacing)
- Agarwood: understory or adjacent canopy (3–5 m spacing)
- Spacing Example for 1 ha (10,000 m²):
| Tree | Spacing | Trees/ha | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ylang-Ylang | 6 m x 6 m | ~278 | Main essential oil crop |
| Agarwood | 3 m x 3 m | ~1,111 | Seedlings shaded by Ylang-Ylang until 5 yrs |
Alternative Layout:
- Ylang-Ylang perimeter planting for windbreaks
- Agarwood in central plot
- Inter-row alleys for maintenance & harvesting
4. Plantation Establishment
- Land Preparation:
- Clear underbrush, plow, level soil, dig planting pits 50 × 50 × 50 cm.
- Incorporate organic matter (5–10 kg compost/pit) and rock phosphate (200 g/pit).
- Planting Season:
- Start of rainy season (May–July) for optimal establishment.
- Nursery Preparation:
- Ylang-Ylang: air-layered or grafted seedlings (~15–20 cm height).
- Agarwood: tissue-cultured or seedling stock (~20–30 cm).
- Initial Care:
- Mulch with organic materials.
- Irrigation during dry periods.
- Shade nets not needed if Ylang-Ylang planted early for partial shading.
5. Maintenance & Care
Irrigation
- Both species require adequate water in the first 3 years.
- Young Agarwood prefers 50–70% shade and moisture retention.
Fertilization
- Ylang-Ylang: NPK 14-14-14 at 0.5–1 kg/tree/year after establishment.
- Agarwood: Apply organic compost and slow-release NPK for 2–3 yrs; avoid high nitrogen early to prevent excessive vegetative growth.
Pruning
- Ylang-Ylang: Annual pruning to stimulate flowering and maintain 5–7 m canopy.
- Agarwood: Minimal pruning; remove damaged branches; open canopy after 5 yrs for sunlight penetration.
Pest & Disease Management
- Shared issues: aphids, mealybugs, scale insects.
- Agarwood-specific: stem canker, leaf spot.
- Integrated approach: biological control + organic pesticides + proper spacing.
6. Flowering, Harvest, & Oil Extraction
Ylang-Ylang
- Flowering: Year-round, peak during warm months
- Harvest: Early morning, flowers distilled within 24 h for essential oil
- Yield: 3–5 kg/tree/year; 0.3–0.5% essential oil
Agarwood
- Induction: Use fungal inoculation (Fusarium oxysporum, BarIno™ system) or natural resin formation
- Harvest: 6–10 yrs depending on resin development
- Yield: 1–5 kg high-grade chips/tree for luxury perfumery
Synergy:
- Ylang-Ylang provides early cash flow while Agarwood matures (long-term investment).
7. Economic Considerations
| Crop | Timeline to Profit | Main Revenue | Secondary Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ylang-Ylang | 4–5 yrs | Essential oil | Fresh flowers, nursery seedlings |
| Agarwood | 6–10 yrs | Chips & oil | Eco-tourism, high-value timber |
Benefits of Integration:
- Reduces financial risk
- Maximizes land productivity
- Provides shade and microclimate for young Agarwood
8. Agroforestry Best Practices
- Mixed planting: Avoid monoculture for disease resistance
- Soil cover: Use nitrogen-fixing plants (e.g., Sesbania, Erythrina) in alleys
- Biodiversity: Encourage pollinators (bees, moths) for Ylang-Ylang
- Harvest rotation: Harvest Ylang-Ylang flowers every 2–3 days during peak flowering; Agarwood monitored annually for resin quality
9. Sustainability & ESG
- Organic fertilizers and bio-inoculants for both species
- Water conservation via mulching and drip irrigation
- Biodiversity-friendly: trees + nitrogen-fixers + understory plants
- Traceable Ylang-Ylang essential oil for premium branding
10. Example 1-ha Layout Diagram (Text Representation)
Row spacing: 6 m (Ylang-Ylang) | 3 m (Agarwood)
Y Y A A Y Y A A Y Y
Y Y A A Y Y A A Y Y
A A Y Y A A Y Y A A
Y Y A A Y Y A A Y Y
- Y = Ylang-Ylang
- A = Agarwood
- Ylang-Ylang acts as intermediate canopy and windbreak for Agarwood
This Ylang-Ylang + Agarwood agroforestry system allows:
- Short-term cash flow via Ylang-Ylang essential oil.
- Long-term investment via Agarwood resin.
- Sustainable land use, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
If you want, I can draft a visual “Agroforestry Map + Timeline Infographic” showing planting, canopy layers, harvest timeline, and income stream over 10 years, perfect for investors or farm management.
Do you want me to create that infographic next?