Farmers from Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Tiruchy, Nagapattinam and Pattukkottai say that teak trees are a viable investment, especially when they are mature. Saplings are planted as an inter-crop in horticulture farms and around paddy fields.

Though it may take 50 to 60 years to produce quality logs, teak can be grown in shorter rotations and they are the least infested with pests and hence maintaining them is easier compared to other crops. Farmers said that a tree which is over 20 years old could sell for Rs 1 lakh. “We planted 50 saplings in my coconut farm after my child was born. We planted 150 saplings earlier. Now she is 12 and out of the 50, 45 have survived but out of the 150 trees, we lost 120,” said R Gunasekaran from Pattukkottai.

Weddings in Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai are expensive. The practice of gifting the groom is very popular, thus maintaining trees is of vital importance. “There is competition among families regarding gifts and everything depends on the trees,” said a senior citizen from Orathanadu.

R Ravi of Thirumangalakottai who raised 200 trees in his farm along with the coconut trees, lost 150 in the cyclone and all were in the age group of 5-7 years. “I lost trees worth Rs 1 crore,” Ravi added. “ “We can plant 75 saplings in one acre.

Once they grow for 20 years, they sell for Rs 1 lakh each. I planted teak trees in a four-acre land and 90 per cent of the plantation has been destroyed. These trees were my childrens’ future,” K Marimuthu from Pudukkottai said.