On the inca trail there are many trees.
these are some species you will see on the second day.
Cedro de Altura: (cedrela Lilloi) (Meliaceas), A tree that grows uo to 65 feet. It is found form Pery to Argentina between 8,500 ana 11,150 feet a.s.l. The wood of the Cedrela genus is excellent for woodcrafts and it is exported to other countries. A long time ago, the lands surrounding Cusco were planted with Cedros. The spanniards chopped those trees to build the altars, pulpits and retables of their churches, as well as doors, windows and furniture. Today, the Cedro de Altura is scarcely found, but the Cedro form the lower jungle, that grows higher and wider, is still exploited.
Chachacomo: (Escallonia Resinosa) (Grossuliaracea), A rustic tree of 6.5 or 20 feet or more. It grows in all the Peruvian Mountains between 8,850 and 13,120 feet a.s.l. It grows in the mountain sides erosion control and it is a good terrace, stabilizer. Its wood is of excellent qualyti. A worm taht developes inside this tree is used as food by the people af some regions.
Huamanquero: (StylocerasLaurifolium) (Buxaceas), A tree that grows up to 50feet. It is quite rare to see one of this trees and perhaps it is in danger of extinction. It growa in the Cusichaca ravine, between the localities of Tres Piedras and Llullucha Pampa 10,800 to 11,800 meters a.s.l. Since its wood is good for building and cabinetmarking it was used in the old days to make doors and windows.
Pucañahui: (Mauria Ferruginea) (Anacardiaceas), A trre that grows up to 26 feet. It grows in the Cusichaca ravine, between 8,850 and 10,500 feet a.s.l. It is found in a bush form 6.5 to 10 feet high, because the peasants cut their stems and branches to use them in rustic buildings or as firewood. Parrots and other birds eat its fruit.
Queuña: ( Polylepis Spp - Incana) (Rosacea), A tree of 13 to 40 feet, It can be found on th Andes form 9850 feet a.s.l. Up to the snowline. It can be found in the Valley ravines and in the city squares. The Incas used to grow Queuñas in the high lands. There it protects the people, their crops and animals from the cold, and provides them with firewood and wood for buildings. It has been cut in excess for centuries.
Quishuar: (Buddleja Longifolia) (Escropulariacea), A Tree 19 or 46 feet high. It grows between 8,200 abd 12,150 feet a.s.l. The temple dedicated to the Viracocha Inca was named Kiswarcancha (Kiswar site), its wood was used to carve idols that were later incinerated in the religious parties. Nowadays, it is used for building roofs and manufacturing tools. It is uses as a hedge and as a terrace stabilizer.
Tocacho: (Gynoxys Oleifolia) (Asteracea), A tree 16 to 26 feet tall. It grows al ober the Andes between 10.800 and 14,750 feet a.s.l. In the Cusichaca ravine, it appears at 11,800 feet a.s.l. It is similar to the Qhishuar and people tend to mix them. This tree is resistant to very cold temperatures. In the highlands it is used in the hedges that surround houses and farmyards. its wood is used to make tools and firewood.
Unca: (Myrcianthes Oreophyla) (Myrtacea), A tree that grows up to 50 feet. It can be found in all the Urubamba Valley ravines, between 9,200 and 11,800 feet a.s.l. Its white and heavy wood is used in woodcraft and cabinetmaking. The Incas made their Keros (Ceremonial Vases), from this wood. It is an excellent ornamental tree and it also provides good shade. It is considered a diuretic plant that can dissolve kidney stones.
these are some species you will see on the second day.
Cedro de Altura: (cedrela Lilloi) (Meliaceas), A tree that grows uo to 65 feet. It is found form Pery to Argentina between 8,500 ana 11,150 feet a.s.l. The wood of the Cedrela genus is excellent for woodcrafts and it is exported to other countries. A long time ago, the lands surrounding Cusco were planted with Cedros. The spanniards chopped those trees to build the altars, pulpits and retables of their churches, as well as doors, windows and furniture. Today, the Cedro de Altura is scarcely found, but the Cedro form the lower jungle, that grows higher and wider, is still exploited.
Chachacomo: (Escallonia Resinosa) (Grossuliaracea), A rustic tree of 6.5 or 20 feet or more. It grows in all the Peruvian Mountains between 8,850 and 13,120 feet a.s.l. It grows in the mountain sides erosion control and it is a good terrace, stabilizer. Its wood is of excellent qualyti. A worm taht developes inside this tree is used as food by the people af some regions.
Huamanquero: (StylocerasLaurifolium) (Buxaceas), A tree that grows up to 50feet. It is quite rare to see one of this trees and perhaps it is in danger of extinction. It growa in the Cusichaca ravine, between the localities of Tres Piedras and Llullucha Pampa 10,800 to 11,800 meters a.s.l. Since its wood is good for building and cabinetmarking it was used in the old days to make doors and windows.
Pucañahui: (Mauria Ferruginea) (Anacardiaceas), A trre that grows up to 26 feet. It grows in the Cusichaca ravine, between 8,850 and 10,500 feet a.s.l. It is found in a bush form 6.5 to 10 feet high, because the peasants cut their stems and branches to use them in rustic buildings or as firewood. Parrots and other birds eat its fruit.
Queuña: ( Polylepis Spp - Incana) (Rosacea), A tree of 13 to 40 feet, It can be found on th Andes form 9850 feet a.s.l. Up to the snowline. It can be found in the Valley ravines and in the city squares. The Incas used to grow Queuñas in the high lands. There it protects the people, their crops and animals from the cold, and provides them with firewood and wood for buildings. It has been cut in excess for centuries.
Quishuar: (Buddleja Longifolia) (Escropulariacea), A Tree 19 or 46 feet high. It grows between 8,200 abd 12,150 feet a.s.l. The temple dedicated to the Viracocha Inca was named Kiswarcancha (Kiswar site), its wood was used to carve idols that were later incinerated in the religious parties. Nowadays, it is used for building roofs and manufacturing tools. It is uses as a hedge and as a terrace stabilizer.
Tocacho: (Gynoxys Oleifolia) (Asteracea), A tree 16 to 26 feet tall. It grows al ober the Andes between 10.800 and 14,750 feet a.s.l. In the Cusichaca ravine, it appears at 11,800 feet a.s.l. It is similar to the Qhishuar and people tend to mix them. This tree is resistant to very cold temperatures. In the highlands it is used in the hedges that surround houses and farmyards. its wood is used to make tools and firewood.
Unca: (Myrcianthes Oreophyla) (Myrtacea), A tree that grows up to 50 feet. It can be found in all the Urubamba Valley ravines, between 9,200 and 11,800 feet a.s.l. Its white and heavy wood is used in woodcraft and cabinetmaking. The Incas made their Keros (Ceremonial Vases), from this wood. It is an excellent ornamental tree and it also provides good shade. It is considered a diuretic plant that can dissolve kidney stones.
