I got it from hunter today, weight 12grams sinking wood.
Sinking wood
八成依賴進口
國產沉香產量稀少市場罕見
此次沉香博覽會的中國沉香特展由天津沉香藝術博物館特別整理出部分館藏，並在社會上徵集了一些重要標本，展示中國海南、廣西、廣東、雲南、香港等各個 產區的沉香。然而據記者瞭解，在沉香價格突飛猛漲的同時，現在國產沉香在市場上卻難得一見，市場上的沉香絕大多數依賴進口。
中國野生動植物保護協會副秘書長趙勝利告訴記者，儘管我國沉香需求越來越大，但市場上的沉香卻多源自進口。“目前，東南亞地區是世界沉香的主產地，而 我國的沉香主要集中在海南、臺灣、廣東、廣西，而且產量十分稀少，市場上已經十分罕見。近年來，市場對沉香的需求量成倍增長，國內產量遠遠不能滿足市場的 需求，我國沉香年需求近500噸，其中近80%以上靠進口。”
“十香九假”
或為沉香市場帶來滅頂之災
近年來，沉香價格持續飆升，沉香加工也成為暴利行業。然而業內人士告訴記者，目前沉香市場上九成為假貨和劣質貨。
“可以說是‘十香九假’。”天津沉香藝術博物館負責人黃毅告訴記者，業界對沉香市場假貨氾濫的現狀充滿危機感，認為這可能為尚未成熟的沉香市場帶來滅 頂之災。“目前沉香還沒有被大多數消費者認可，處在很敏感的發展時期。如果消費者一再被假貨坑害，無疑會對市場失去認同，這對整個行業來說都是危險的。”
據記者瞭解，目前市場上的沉香製品主要有沉香手串、沉香山子、沉香筆筒等，其中又屬沉香手串最受到追捧，也是造假者的主要目標。據業內人士透露，最常 見的造假方法就是以次充好和以假亂真。印尼、緬甸、越南等地也都產沉香，但中國海南沉香為上品。有人就混淆產地，用越南、印尼等地的沉香冒充海南沉香，牟 取暴利。
另外，用沉香木冒充沉香，也是近年最常見的坑人把戲。把沒有結香的沉香木放在水中浸泡至木質發黑，再加入藥渣蒸煮，添加化學香精，便可做出假沉香。也有人通過高壓法壓縮沉香體積來增加密度，甚至以針管向香內注射水銀，使其在水中能夠下沉。
據黃毅介紹，假貨往往手段高明，從外觀到氣味，一般人很難分辨，而沉香的鑒別手法要求“看、摸、聞、燒”，普通消費者很難掌握。
Many of us ask when to do inoculation??
Whenever the tree trunk reaches 4″ at breast high diameter (BHD), it is considered mature enough to perform inoculation regardless of any method available nowadays. Could it be liquid inoculation or Bamboo stick from Witsawa (Thailand).
In my farm , i have started to induce the trees when BHD is 3″. The inducement of Bamboo sticks is carried out in stages in order not to kill the trees at one time. Keep the drilling holes at a distance say 12″ apart, by next year we drill another hole 4″ from the first one, and the following year another hole 4″ from the second one. Repeat this pattern for the entire tree. By the time you come to harvest you will have different grades of products.
25-month Sinensis, planted Aug 2011, photo taken Aug 2013
25-month Sinensis, planted Aug 2011, photo taken Aug 2013
Doing this way will shorten the waiting time, while awaiting for the trees to grow bigger.
Agarwood inoculation provides opportunity for business for many. One US company was trying to sell kits to Lao famers for $100 US per kit, per tree. Clearly this is unreasonable and shows little understanding for the situation in Laos, where the annual per capita GDP at $3000 USD. The inoculation is a secret blend of chemicals, or sugars, or simple bacteria and fungi, which is then driven into the tree trunk. Those with plantations will buy or make inoculation kits to increase the value of their trees, of course. But whether the cost of the land, the seedlings (also a profitable side business,) the inoculation kits and the time involved, the years to grow and infect the trees, will pay, is another question.
You would be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Browsing the internet, it’s easy to find agarwood “consultants” to help you in all areas of your plantation. Promised return on the investment is 7 years. This promise is common. The trees will grow, most probably. But even though they can be inoculated at just a couple of years of age, and even though they can technically be harvested at 3-7 years, the possibility of harvesting good agarwood to make Oud is slim. To make quality Oud, the trees should have a naturally occurring infection, not an inoculation. And most probably the trees will need to be much older, maybe 15-20 years. But the biggest obstacle is that how many of us are willing to wait.
I have received repeated questions from either visitors or village people on why plastic cover was used ? Following photos were taken on 12 July 2012 when the trees were 11-month old. For weed management, I don’t use herbicide to control the weed. With my workers available, i ensure them to cut the weed by lawn cutter. Prior to the countermeasure there were some trees damaged completely during the cutting process. Later, suggestion to cover the tree with a protective mean by using plastic bottle.
This tree had been injured prior to countermeasure. The injured location may be weak enough to support if strong wind is present, the tree tends to collapse. If the cut is too deep, the tree may die.
The cut was quite obvious. With the protective cover installed, worker will be alerted to retract the cutting stroke.
One proverb says “A woman can satisfy only to one man but can not satisfy every men”.
Whatever you do, people will always find something new to say. If you venture into Gaharu business, this universal problem will hit you, always you find problem with people opinions. If you pay too much attention to others, you are not managing yourself. Indecisive condition will drag you further, firm to your own decision after having analyzed those inputs you gained from the senior.
There are always lots of way doing something, just a matter you do it long way or through short-cut. A long way does not mean a wrong way and short-cut does not represent a proper method. You will reach the destination eventually. No one will judge this way is wrong or right. Choose a way that you feel comfortable and reasonable, you proceed, after all perfect does not exist in the imperfect world.
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA (8 July 2013)—Rescuers on Monday reached five men trapped in trees by several Sumatran tigers for five days after the angry animals mauled a sixth man to death, police said.
First Lt. Surya Purba said three tamers managed to drive the tigers away before the men who were in weak condition were evacuated from trees in the protected Mount Leuser National Park in Tamiang, an Aceh district neighbouring with North Sumatra province.
The men were looking for rare agarwood — used to make incense and perfume — and accidently caught a tiger cub in a trap they were using to catch deer for food, said district police chief Lieut. Col. Dicky Sondani.
The incident caused five other tigers in the area to attack the men, Sondani said, citing reports from villagers who received mobile phone messages Thursday from the survivors. One of the men was mauled to death, while the five others managed to climb into trees.
The rescue team needed three days to reach the rugged area, said Sondani who was worried that the men could be weak and fall from the trees due to a lack of food.
“I received a report from rescuers that they have just evacuated the men after tamers managed to drive away the tigers,” Purba said. “They are all in weak condition.” He added they survived by drinking rain water.
The 28-year-old man who was mauled to death had managed to climb a tree, “but the branch broke, causing him to fall to the ground,” Purba said.
There were seven tigers wandering around the trees but four left before the rescuers arrived, he said.
The rescue team of soldiers, policemen and conservationists was sent after villagers failed to reach the men because of the tigers.
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (8July 2013) – Rescuers are searching for five men reportedly trapped in trees by several Sumatran tigers after the angry animals mauled a sixth man to death, police said Monday.
Local police chief Lt. Col. Dicky Sondani said a 30-member rescue team had been sent to the protected Mount Leuser National Park in Taming, an Aceh district neighbouring with North Sumatra province.
The men were looking for rare agarwood — used to make incense and perfume — and accidently caught a tiger cub in a trap they were using to catch deer for food.
The incident caused five other tigers in the area to attack the men, Sondani said, citing reports from villagers who received mobile phone messages Thursday from the survivors.
One of the men was mauled to death, while the five others managed to climb into trees, he said.
The rescue team needed three days to reach the rugged terrain area, but they had not located the missing men as of Monday, Sondani said.
“We are worried because they could be weak and fall from the trees due to a lack of food,” Sondani said.
Banda Aceh – Lima lelaki terperangkap di atas pokok sejak tiga hari lalu selepas dikejar oleh beberapa ekor harimau Sumatera.
You bunuh anak saya,kalau u turun, I baham u sampai mati.
Seorang rakan mereka mati dibaham haiwan berkenaan.
Polis berkata, lima harimau masih berada di bawah pokok itu selepas mengejar lelaki berkenaan Khamis lalu.
Kejadian berlaku selepas lelaki itu yang mencari kayu gaharu di Taman Negara Hutan Leuser di puncak Sungai Rengas, Tenggulun, kawasan Aceh Tamiang, membunuh seekor anak harimau secara tidak sengaja.
Konflik antara manusia dengan haiwan semakin menjadi-jadi di Indonesia. Tetapi, dalam kebanyakan kes, ia berakhir dengan padah menimpa haiwan terbabit.
Ketua Polis Tamiang, Dicky Sondani berkata, selain mencari gaharu, lelaki berkenaan turut memasang perangkap untuk menangkap rusa tetapi di luar dugaan yang terjerat malam itu justru seekor anak harimau yang disebut-sebut langsung mati.
Selagi mereka beristirahat, tiba-tiba sekitar pukul 03.00 WIB muncul empat ekor harimau dewasa di lokasi mereka menginap. Diduga induk harimau marah karena anaknya mati. Tanpa pikir panjang, keenam pencari kayu alim itu langsung berlari mencari pohon terdekat untuk dipanjat.Pada saat memanjat pohon di tengah malam buta itulah, salah satu dari mereka, David, terjatuh dan langsung diterkam harimau. “Informasi terakhir, tubuh korban tinggal setengah setelah dimakan oleh empat harimau,” ujar Kapolsek mengutip keterangan datok penghulu (kepala desa).
Menurutnya, 30 orang terdiri daripada polis dan tentera sudah melancarkan gerakan menyelamat mangsa kelmarin selepas dia dan tiga anggotanya terpaksa berpatah balik setelah melihat harimau itu.
Dicky juga berkata, usaha untuk mendapatkan khidmat pawang harimau sehingga semalam masih belum berhasil.
Anggota penyelamat mungkin mengambil masa dua hingga tiga hari untuk tiba di kawasan terbabit. Lebih buruk lagi, mereka juga terpaksa berdepan dengan harimau dan binatang liar lain, termasuk gajah.
Dalam proses pencarian, Basarnas dibantu potensi SAR lainnya yakni Satgas Aceh Tamiang, Satgas SAR Langsa, Satgas SAR Idi, TNI Aceh Tamiang, dan Polsek Simpang Kir
Harimau Sumatera adalah harimau paling kecil di dunia. Hanya 400 hingga 500 ekor dipercayai masih hidup.
“Jika harimau itu masih berada di bawah pokok, kami mungkin terpaksa menembak mereka, paling tidak dengan ubat pelali, untuk menyelamatkan kelima-lima mangsa,” kata Dicky. – Agensi
Vietnam, Million-dollar ky nam (agarwood) has enticed thousands of dreamers all over the country to try their luck in a jungle in the central region where they are being threatened by theft, rockslides, and deadly diseases or even involved in bloody scuffles.
Following a recent rumor that seven kilograms of ky nam worth VND55 billion (US$2.64 million) have been cultivated in a small valley in Khanh Hoa central province’s Khanh Son district, countless people hailing from neighboring provinces like Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Phu Yen have flocked there to search for the precious wood in hopes of finding a better life.
During the week-long course of working undercover to do this photo report, Tuoi Tre reporter witnessed the horrible living conditions of the wood hunters as they had to drink polluted water from puddles of water around or used chopsticks made of small tree branches to eat.
At nightfall, they slept in hammocks hung in the jungle or some slept sitting up by a cooking fire despite high risks of malaria or other jungle-born maladies.
Most of the wood hunters are poor and many of them had to borrow money from their relatives or friends to pay travel costs for the trip to their “dreamland”.
However, just a few of them were fortunate to find small pieces of ky nam and many went home empty-handed with deep-set eyes due to lack of sleep and dark dirty skin after hardworking days of searching in the sun.
Truong Tan Dat, a 47-year-old wood hunter hailing from Van Ninh district in Khanh Hoa province, told Tuoi Tre: “I arrived here after traveling a distance of more than 400 kilometers to avoid police and security guards because I was curious about the rumor that a group of people has found ky nam here and because I have five mouths to feed.”
“But the weather has been ugly in the area, so probably I will go back home empty-handed,” he sighed.
A hunter luckily finds a piece of ky nam as small as a finger that is craved by hundreds of eyes around.
Agarwood hunters are looking for their landing field in the jungle.
A young man is watching foggy that shrouds Gop Nga mountain before he and his companion take a trip to an area – a couple of hundred meters away from their place – that is rumored to have ky nam.
A frugal lunch of a small dried fish for wood hunters hailing from Van Gia commune in Khanh Hoa province.
A group of wood hunters from Van Ninh commune had waited in a tent until the rain stopped.
Huynh (L), 50, and Kien hailing from Van Gia commune risk their lives, sheltering under a huge rock. They believe that the two small tree trunks as seen in this photo are able to prevent a rockslide.
A group of wood hunters shelter under a canvas during a rain.
Countless people are scouring a 200m2 area that is rumored to have ky nam.
Each team has a leader, who is in charge of entering the names of the members on the pay-list which will later make it easy for him to share money if they find something valuable.
Two young men from Van Thang commune, Van Ninh district take a short rest after hardworking hours of searching.
A man luckily finds a small piece of ky nam as small as a finger in an area of Gop Nga mountain.
After hours of scouring, a team of 300 hunters from Van Gia commune discovered some pieces of ky nam as small as a finger. The members were delighted by the discovery while the leader quickly put the pieces into his pocket to prevent them from being robbed by aragwood thieves.
On the way to their hometown on the afternoon of September 28, the team of agrawood hunters from Van Ninh decided to change their direction after they had been informed that the team from Da Nang would stop them at the T-junction Dong Lac in Cam Ranh city in Khanh Hoa province to settle their conflicts over agarwood hunting.
Country : Indonesia
Species : Malaccensis
Diameter : >30cm
Height : >30M
One of the Gaharu fever in Indonesia.
Simple and cost effective way to construct platform for inoculation purpose, safety factor need to be emphasized.
Trees are tagged for indication.
It take years to grow a matured tree but people would have chopped it down within minutes. Today, poachers are well-entrenched within the forests for one very lucrative reason: gaharu ….. where its deadly enemy is human beings.
Syndicated gangs, often of Thai, Vietnamese or Myanmarese origins, scour the jungle for months in search of Aquilaria malaccensis and the fragrant resin sometimes infused within the heartwood of this tree species. The presence of the resin is, however, unpredictable as it occurs only as an immune response to injury or pathogenic infection.
There are many names for it – gaharu, agarwood or oudh. Its etymology can be traced back to ancient times when gaharu, thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word agaru, was found in and traded from India. It was one of the most sought-after substances in China during the tenth century, and direct exports to the Middle East began sometime in the ninth century.
Damaged: Poachers have chipped off this agarwood tree in the forest near the Penang Botanic Gardens to see if it has been impregnated with the fragrant resin.
Most syndicate-hires lack the skill to distinguish a karas containing gaharu from one that does not. So the poachers hack down every agarwood tree, leaving a trail of unnecessary devastation in their wake.
Decades of relentless harvesting have caused the tree to become increasingly difficult to find. Perhaps, that is why poachers are more brazen now. A 30m-high karas tree was felled close to the Penang Botanic Gardens. The pillaging of gaharu raises wide-ranging issues: illegal collectors armed with axes and M16 rifles not only endanger wildlife but put unarmed wildlife enforcement officers at risk. The illegal trade also bleeds profit from our gross domestic product – exactly how much is lost from royalties and export tax remains unknown.
Photos show the gaharu formation from Sinensis species, entire unit could be one of the decoration display in the office, hall or even at home. Photos courtesy by Mr. Tan
15 Jan 2013, artificial inoculation to the tree will stress the tree. Leafs started to fall in the first week, some say 30% in common.
17-month Sinensis, leafs fall about 20~30% within a week after inoculation.
17-month Sinensis, leafs fall about 20~30% within a week after inoculation.
07 Jan 2013, i had my first liquid inoculation on one of my 17-month old Sinensis tree. This inoculant was purchased from one of the booth in MAHA 2012. I drilled a 6mm hole, 2″ depth and 300ml inoculant was dripped into the stem. This tree is young, its diameter 3.8″ measured about 1 feet above ground.
The inoculant was completely absorded within the next 24 hours.
Very young tree, 17 months old, 07 Jan 2013
3.8″ diameter, 1 feet above ground
6mm drilled hole, 2″ depth, 300ml inoculant
Tree planted Aug 2011, photo taken 07 Jan 2013
Anyone who has not visited Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng should pay a visit, especially if you are one of the Gaharu fever. It is located in Kampung Sungai Itek, 31600 Teja, Perak, Malaysia, GPS location –N4.460934, E101.185942.
Its well-managed Agarwood plantation has been opened for tourism purpose. The Gaharu Tea Valley of Gopeng has steadily climbed up the ranks as an eco-tourism site since its opening, and is today a major tourist attraction in Perak, and one that is identifiable on many major online mapping and travel sites. I visited there 2 times, first was in 2010 and recent one was June 2012. Hundreds of people visited the plantation and many even hug the trees for luck. I was told that the giant tree which stood steadily on top of the hill had met its misfortune — struck by lightning somewhere in Sept 2012. What a pity, the tree has given her way.
Age of tree 20 years old, planted in 1992
This photo was captured in Dec 2012, during a Seminar Gaharu Kebangsaan organized by MTIB.
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Sinking wood
Wild wood : Incense grade
Cultivated Agarwood
Natural Oudh oil
Bamboo stick
Gaharu seedlings
Separatory funnel
Allihn condenser
Graham condenser
Mini pump
Slicing pump
Gaharu 沉香 Agarwood 