1: Economy about reforestation

Details will come later, but the general conditions are:
The first years are the most expensive; the saplings are still small and compete with wild grasses. Weeding is needed.
After year 5 the trees are of a size, so that the grass is less concentrated. Only fire-breaks are needed.
After year 10 the trees are of a size, so that the shading of the trees will keep the grass at a low concentration. Firebreaks are still needed.
After year 15: Dense forest, no weeding and no fire-breaks?

Labour costs: 
1 US$ = 44 baht (2002), 1 rai = 1600 m2.
The level of local labour was in 2002 in the range of 100-120 baht/day for unskilled labour. The author paid 150 baht/day.
The level of local labour was in 2005 in the range of 120-150 baht/day for unskilled labour. The author pay 200 baht/day.
Accord work: Weeding of  1 rai with grass no higher than 0.5 meter: 500 baht.
Extra costs: According to local customs food should be provided too, that is one of the reasons the author pays 150 and not 100-120 baht/day.
In the first years weeding is needed at least 4 times a year - depending on rainfall.
 

2: Methods of planting and maintaining.

In the first years emphasis was put finding and marking indigenous species, which are sprouting from seeds or old roots.
On vacant spots samplings were planted.

Planting samplings:
Dig a hole 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 meter. Keep the top-soil and the raw-soil separated.
Fill in the top-soil and eventually compost.
Water it.
Plant the tree.
Water again.
Make a small dike in a circle (diameter: App. 1 meter) around the tree, so that water given later and rain-water will stay around the tree.
Cover with dry grass etc. against the sun.

Collecting wild seeds and germination:
Will hopefully start in January 2003, when the seeds are mature.

Planting timber integrated with fruit-trees:
Example: Planting Neem together with Tamarind.
When the fruit-tree after 10-15 years needs more space and the timber-tree has reached a size, so it can be utilized, the timber-tree is cut and left is a fruit yard.

More to come ...

The author in June 1998.