Renewable vs non-renewable natural resource

The growth rate of Guaiacum sanctum (genuine lignum vitae) is so slow that it takes several centuries for a mature tree to reach a substantial trunk diameter of approximately 40 to 50 cm—which represents only about 50% to 60% of its potential maximum size.

Due to its extremely slow growth rate, Guaiacum sanctum (genuine lignum vitae) is, for all practical purposes, a non-renewable natural resource. It cannot be replenished within the span of one or even several human generations. The same generation that harvests a fully developed adult tree cannot—nor can the immediate generations that follow—replace it with another specimen of comparable size. This is precisely the reason why Guaiacum sanctum was driven to the brink of extinction.

The Puerto Soley area in Bahía Salinas is home to several mature specimens of Guaiacum sanctum (genuine lignum vitae). It is striking to observe that trees which have already reached trunk diameters of around 30 cm or more have shown very limited growth in recent decades, a reflection of the species’ extremely slow growth rate. It will take a great deal more time for these same trees to reach diameters of 60 cm or greater.

As a result of this situation, Guaiacum sanctum (genuine lignum vitae) trees with trunk diameters of barely 30 cm are today considered “adult” specimens—despite this representing only about 40% of the maximum size they can reach over the course of several centuries. It is therefore regrettable to encounter references that classify Guaiacum sanctum as a “shrub,” a designation that clearly misrepresents the species’ true nature and growth potential.

The current inventory of Guaiacum sanctum (genuine lignum vitae) consists primarily of young trees, as well as young adults—those saplings that were still too small to be considered worth cutting when the Tropical Dry Forest was heavily exploited in the mid-20th century.

The growing number of young Guaiacum sanctum (genuine lignum vitae) trees is a source of hope, as it represents the only viable path to preventing the species’ extinction. However, it is important to recognize that it will take several future generations before these trees reach full maturity and development.