Ten Most Popular Trees in Cambodia

 Palm Tree

Straight like a column, tall like a skyscraper, the palm tree represents the Khmer soul. According to history, palm trees were discovered at the same time Khmer people established their tribes in present day Cambodia during the Funan in 600 A.D.

Besides representing Cambodia's soul, the palm tree provided raw materials for many Khmer dishes as well as household products.

For instance palm juice, which is produced by squeezing the palm flowers, can be used to make either sweet or sour drinks, which are popular across the country. The juice can also be made further into sugar palm by stirring it in a heated pot until it becomes thick and much sweeter than the original juice. Producing palm sugar requires a long process and time but it's sold at a much higher price.

If not used for juice, the palm flower will develop into palm fruit that is uniquely fresh and sweet. Today, palm fruit is used by many Cambodians to make desert by adding ingredients such as coconut milk, a bit of sugar and lots of ice to accommodate the generally hot climate of Cambodia.

Another important use of the palm tree in Cambodia society is for the construction of the traditional Khmer home, such as the roof of cover and the walls. Leaves need to be dried under the sun first, before they can be tied together to form larger pieces of roughly 1m x 0.5m.

The trunk of the palm tree also has its use. The palm trunk is softer in the inside than the outside; quite the opposite from most other trees. For this reason, the palm trunk is perfect for making small boats.

Not a single component of the palm tree is unused . Palm trees were here when the first Khmer arrived ; hopefully, it will always be here as the Khmer population continues to grow rapidly, expanding into the countryside where most palm trees persist.

 

 Banana Tree

The Banana tree is like a giant flower and unlike most trees. It has big leaves in proportion to its trunk and branches. All its branches grow outward from the tree top like a blooming flower. The Banana tree has so many uses. Its leaf can be used to wrap cakes, food etc. The trunk of the tree is used in preparation for various Buddhist ceremonies and when it's mashed into little pieces it becomes pig's food and even used for human soup. Its fruit can be eaten as desert as well as for traditional ceremonies and remedy.

Coconut Tree

The Coconut tree is similar to the palm tree but it's not as straight. It grows easily but only in tropical climates. The coconut tree has many uses. Its leaf can be used to make household products and its fruit can be used as a drink or to make deserts. Traditionally, coconut flower is used in wedding ceremonies.

Bamboo Tree

The Bamboo tree is known for its straight trunk which is useful for construction, usually scaffolding. The leaf of the bamboo tree is used to wrap Chinese cake, called Nom Zhang. When young, bamboo is called Tra Peang, which is another popular vegetable in Cambodia.

Rubber Tree

The Rubber tree can be found in various countries; however, it is a very special tree to Cambodians. Cambodian's soil is very fertile for rubber trees to grow and many people across the country make a decent living from growing rubber trees. After three to five years rubber trees start giving the milky like liquid that is eventually made into rubber. The tree itself is also very good for wood fire and housing.

Tek Doh or Tek Doh Ko (milk) Tree

 Even though this tree doesn't have many uses but it's an indigenous tree to Cambodian.Its fruit-Phle Te Doh Ko (milk fruit) is sweet and milky and has large seeds. There are two kinds of Tek Doh Ko tree: male and female. They are similar, although the female tree produces large fruit. Unfortunately, today this tree is a rare sight in Cambodia.



 

Papaya Tree

The Papaya tree is a common site in Cambodia. Although its trunk doesn't have much use, its fruit can be used in many different ways. Ripe papaya is a delicious fruit, while the raw one is used for papaya salad or in Khmer, Bok Lhong. Papaya can also be put in soup or marinated and become Chruok L'hong.

Guava Tree (Trabek Tree)

The Guava tree has pale-earth like skin color and is very strong and durable. It's not a very large tree but Cambodian people love to grow this tree. Since ancient times Cambodians have used Guava tree's skin to cure diarrhea. It's very bitter and is boiled in water until its bitter taste comes out. The young guava leaf is also a very good diarrhea medicine. But beware, guava seed is very hard and shouldn't be consumed in large amounts. It can cause stomach ache or more serious stomach problems.

Jackfruit Tree

 The Jackfruit tree is a big tree compared to other fruit trees. It has green palm-size leaves and large solid trunk that can be used to make various kinds of instruments. The skin of the trunk is also a type of ancient Khmer medicine. The Jackfruit is very popular fruit in Cambodia and unlike other trees the fruit grows out of the tree trunk!

Porsat Orange Tree

The most famous and favorite Porsat Orange comes from the north-western province of Battambang, Cambodia. Porsat Orange produces orange of unique taste. Most oranges are either sweet or sour; however, Porsat Orange is both sweet and sour.