Brazil Wood - the Tree that Named a Nation

Sun shines on leaves of Pau brasil, or Brazil wood trees in the northeastern state of Pernambuco. The tree which gave its name to the South American nation, is almost extinct. The tree was extracted from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest to satisfy the European royalty's thirst for red dye for about 375 years. With the advent of synthetic dyes, the tree was forgotten and since so few remain, most Brazilians have never seen a Brazil tree. Now a new threat, or perhaps a salvation, of the tree is present: violin bows. The only wood flexible enough to give off a favorable sound from a violin, the price of the endangered tree has skyrocketed, prompting illegal trafficking. Ana Cristina Roldo, director of the NGO FUNBRASIL has made a crusade of saving the tree, a project begun by her father. She says companies who invest in cultivation will help the conservation of the tree will reap the benefits later.(Photo/Douglas Engle)

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Sun shines on leaves of Pau brasil, or Brazil wood trees in the northeastern state of Pernambuco. The tree which gave its name to the South American nation, is almost extinct. The tree was extracted from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest to satisfy the European royalty's thirst for red dye for about 375 years. With the advent of synthetic dyes, the tree was forgotten and since so few remain, most Brazilians have never seen a Brazil tree. Now a new threat, or perhaps a salvation, of the tree is present: violin bows. The only wood flexible enough to give off a favorable sound from a violin, the price of the endangered tree has skyrocketed, prompting illegal trafficking. Ana Cristina Roldo, director of the NGO FUNBRASIL has made a crusade of saving the tree, a project begun by her father. She says companies who invest in cultivation will help the conservation of the tree will reap the benefits later.(Photo/Douglas Engle)

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