An example of a mixed species forest canopy on a hillside in the Guanacaste region.


The Costa Rican Forest Story

In the last 50 years, over half of the Guanacaste’s forests were cut down to provide pastureland for cattle grazing, in response to the world-wide skyrocketing demand for beef.

Sadly, seasonal rains have washed a large portion of the nation’s topsoil down the denuded hills and into the muddy streams. From here, the valuable soil clogs estuaries and valley floors or is washed out to sea.

The Costa Rican government has offered excellent incentives in the last two decades for investors to assist in reforestation. The most economically viable wood crop for reforestation is teak. It grows relatively fast so it can be harvested in 20 to 30 years, is resistant to insects and has high market value. Today, hillsides are covered with teak that were barren ten years ago.

But the mono-crop reforestation solution turns out to be not so perfect after all. Teak leaves, the largest tree leaves of any species, are a natural herbicide. When they fall to the forest floor each year, they most effectively inhibit other plant growth. Additionally, the mono-cropped teak plantations have destroyed the diverse habitats for Costa Rica animal, insect and bird species that are among the richest in the world.

Valuable native hard woods such cocobolo (rosewood) and pochote take up to 50 years to mature for harvest, decreasing the profitability, Native softwoods such as melina and balsa, have less market value. Yet, a forest of these mixed tree species creates forest diversity for plant and animal species.


Replanting trees to rebuild ecosystems

Greening Paraiso has a vision to create a reforestation program in Guanacaste that enhances biodiversity while creating an adequate return on investment. By decreasing marketing costs through partnerships and taking advantage of the carbon sequestration market (see note below), mixed wood species reforestation can work.

American Eco Teak, endorsed by Greening Paraiso, brings you the finest teak furniture with a conscience. Rated First European Quality (FEQ) and Forest Stewardship Program (FSC) certified, this teak grows in Costa Rica in mixed species forests planted to ensure erosion control and rebuild, rather than destroy, fragile tropical ecosystems. Here, soil quality, reforestation practices and working conditions are far superior to those in Indonesia where most cheap teak comes from. Beautifully designed to accommodate the body’s natural shape, American Eco-Teak furniture features subtle curves, gently cupped seating and rounded corners.

For more information about species reforestation programs and investment opportunities, Contact Us. For American Eco Teak, the finest teak furniture with a conscience, visit Gardener's Supply Company.




Note: The carbon emissions market created by the Kyoto climate change treaty creates a market for the value of planting trees so that carbon emissions of developed countries producing greenhouse gasses can be offset by the carbon absorbing action of trees. For example, a factory in a city, by law in some countries, would need to purchase carbon credits to offset the carbon pollution output from the factory. These markets are becoming more active as world-wide deforestation accompanied by industrial pollution increases.

© 2006 Greening Paraiso, Inc. All rights reserved.
A deforested hillside cleared for cattle farming in the Guanacaste region near the Andomojo River. A mono-cropped teak plantation with closely planted trees. Note the fallen teak leaves that make an effective barrier to forest floor species. Heirloom teak rocking chair from the American Eco Teak collection.