The Camptotheca Acuminata tree is a large tree
(up to 75 feet) that is native to the warm Southwestern region of China.
The Chinese have used parts of the tree in their traditional medicine
and have long told of the trees ability to cure serious disease. The
trees will grow well in warm humid areas and are flexible as to the type
of soil that they can be grown in. The tree is very fast growing and can
be used as a shade tree in the landscape. The other possible use of the
tree is for medicinal purposes. All parts of the tree contain compounds
that have shown significant ability to treat certain forms of cancer and
may have use in AIDS treatment. Several major drug companies are either
researching or they are actually marketing derivatives from the
Camptotheca tree. Several of the compounds have received FDA approval
for use in treating cancers. Currently, we cannot say what the
market for the raw materials will be because
the drugs are still considered experimental. Nor or we encouraging
people to use the harvested raw materials to for self-treatment However,
if the research bears out the initial findings, there may be a
significant market for the raw material. The tree has several
characteristics that make is suitable for sustained harvest. The tree is
very fast growing. It adapts well to different soil, lighting and
climates. The tree can be severely cut back and it will resprout
quickly. This allows for repeated harvest without harming the tree and
keeps the plant in shrub form. The camptothecin compounds that have
shown effectiveness in fighting cancers and other viruses are found in
leaves, bark and wood. Currently, there are experimental plantings at
the Louisiana State University Agricultural Experiment Station and
several other major universities.
If you
are interested in planting a tree that will make a lovely shade tree
that may have some commercial value we offer the trees for sale and will
ship them to you by mail.
Note: We are currently out of Camptotheca trees
until spring 2001.However, we do have seeds available for sale. Seeds
are 25 for $5.00 including shipping.
