Local Names: Boran (Oda); Embu (Mukuyu), Swahili (mukuyu, mkuyu, chivuzi), Luhya (Omukhuyu), Luo (Olam), Nandi (Sebetuet), Pokot (Mangang), Teso (Eborborei, Eduro) Common names: English (stranglerfig, Sycamore, sycamore fig, bush fig)
1. Introduction
General Distribution:
It naturally occurs from the Middle East west to Cape Verde Islands and south to South Africa, Namibia and the Comoro Islands. In Kenya, is widely distributed in riverinevegetation, on flood plains and places with high ground water.
Distribution of Ficus sycomorus in Kenya (c) Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
General Information about the Tree:
It is native to; Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Israel, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Figs are fleshy, sweet and are eaten raw or cooked. They can be dried and have good flavor and high food value. They can also be eaten by livestock, birds and game. It is a sacred tree among many communities (Boran, Luo, Kikuyu, Kamba, Mbeere, Tharaka, Meru). Wood is light, pale and easy to work.
Biophysical Limits:
Altitude: 0 – 2000 m, mean annual temperature: 0 – 40 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 500 – 1800 (max. 2200) mm, Soil type: Prefers deep, well-drained loam to clay soil rich in nutrients. Sandy soils with a shallow groundwater level may also be suitable. It flourishes in agro-ecological zones II – VII.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
Cuttings are used to propagate it. It is fairly fast growing and pruning, lopping may be employed to reduce shade when intercropped. In western Kenya bananas are often grown underneath it.
Products:
Food: Mature fruits are eaten fresh, stewed, or dried and stored for later use. Fruit can also be used for the preparation of an alcoholic beverage. Leaves are used in soups and groundnut dishes. The bark is chewed together with kola nut. In Ghana, the wood ash is commonly used as a salt substitute.
Fodder: Leaves are a much-sought fodder with fairly high nutritive value. Fruits are eaten by livestock, wild animals and birds. It is a valuable fodder in overstocked semi-arid areas where the trees occur naturally.
Fuel: Can be used as firewood and for making charcoal; various peoples throughout Africa use a piece of dry wood from this tree as the base block when starting a fire by the friction method.
Fibre: Inner part of the root used as weaving fibre, and a strong rope can be made from the inner bark.
Timber: The wood is creamy brown, has a fairly uniform structure, is very light (air-dry 510 kg/m3), soft to moderately hard, tough, strong, easy to work, finishes smoothly and holds nails firmly. It is not very durable and is easily attacked by termites. Mainly used for making mortars and pestles, drums, stools, doors, beehives, dugout canoes, carvings and for house building.
Medicine: The bark is used for the treatment of scrofula, coughs, and throat and chest diseases. The milky latex is used for treatment of dysentery and chest diseases, or is applied to inflamed areas, while ringworm is treated with the bark and milky latex. Leaves are said to be effective against jaundice and as an antidote for snakebite, while the roots have laxative and antihelmintic properties.
Services:
Erosion control: Wild fig can be used for sand-dune fixation and riverbank stabilization.
Shade or shelter: The tree gives useful shade and is common at marketplaces, where people gather under it for many social functions.
Soil improver: Shed leaves form a valuable litter improving the nutrient status, infiltration rate and water-holding capacity of the soil.
Ornamental: An important tree planted for ornamental purposes near temples, roadsides, wells and community places such market centres in rural areas. The yellowish bark shows at an early stage, contrasting well with the green leaves.
Intercropping: Usually intercropped with bananas as an understorey.
Other services: The sycamore fig is widely valued for spiritual and sacred purposes. Such use can be traced back to ancient Egypt, and it is often mentioned in the Holy Bible.
3. Pests and Diseases
There is no information on the diseases and pests that affects it.
4. Information Source Links
Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre. ISBN-9966-896-70-8.
Local Names: English (River red gum); Kamba (Musanduku); Kikuyu (Mubau); Luo (Bao); Swahili (mkaratusi).
1. Introduction
General Distribution:
It is widely distributed in its native Australia and is one of the first Eucalyptus spp used elsewhere, both in the Mediterranean and the tropics. It was first planted in Africa around 1900.
Distribution of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in Kenya (c) Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
General Information about the Tree:
Its native to Australia. The red heartwood of E. camaldulensis is hard, durable and relatively termite resistant. Young trees require protection from termites. It was introduced in Kenya mainly for supply of firewood for railways. Biophysical Limits:
Altitude: 0 – 1500 m, Mean annual temperature: 3 – 22 to 21 – 40 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 250 – 2,500 mm, Soil type: Grows best on deep, silty or loamy soils with a clay base and accessible water table. It tolerates water logging and periodic flooding. It is one of the species found to be most tolerant to acid soils.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
Propagation can be done by seedlings and direct sowing at site. It is fast growing and matures in 6 to 8 yrs. Most trees coppice well although not all. Pollarding can also be employed. Occurs in plantation, woodlots or boundary plantings Orthodox storage behaviour for 3-10 years; viability maintained for 4 years in hermitic storage at room temperature; viability maintained for several years in hermitic storage at 3 deg. C with 6-10% mc. A fully grown E. camaldulensis tree may produce a million or more seeds annually, and may continue so for a century (Lars Schmidt, 2000). There are 700 000-800 000 seeds/kg.
Products:
Apiculture:E. camaldulensis is a major source of honey, producing heavy yields of nectar in good seasons. The honey is light gold and of reasonable density with a distinctive flavour. It has been marketed as a straight line for several years. It crystallizes readily. The tree is particularly valuable for building up bee populations, especially when pollen from the ground flora is available to provide variety.
Fuel: The firewood is suitable for industrial use in brick kilns but is not preferred for domestic use because it is too smoky and burns too fast. However, it makes good-quality charcoal.
Fibre: E. camaldulensis is used for pulp and paper production. It is also planted for hardboard, fibreboard and particleboard.
Timber: Given its great strength and good durability, the wood is suitable for many structural applications, for example, railway sleepers, poles, posts, floorings, wharves, ship building and heavy construction.
Tannin or dyestuff: The bole yields a gum that can be used as a dye.
Essential oil: Some tropical provenances of E. camaldulensis are rich in 1,8-cineole leaf oil and are potential commercial sources of medicinal-grade eucalyptus oil.
Medicine: The oils are used as an inhalant with steam and other preparations for relief of colds and influenza symptoms. Because of its refreshing odour and its efficiency in killing bacteria, the oil is also used as an antiseptic.
Other products: The bole has some potential for shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) cultivation.
Services:
Shade or shelter: E. camaldulensis is widely planted for shade and shelter. In Sudan it is planted to protect crops from blowing sand.
Ornamental: Its graceful form is attractive for avenues and gardens. It is practicable by judicious trimming to shape it to the requirements.
Intercropping: With its light crown, E. camaldulensis is well suited for growing in arable fields. Intercropping maize with trees planted at 5 x 5 m gives satisfactory yields.
3. Pests and Diseases
Insects such as termites and aphids and rodents may be troublesome to the tree, and both physical and chemical measures are used to control them. Young trees and those weakened by drought can be badly infected by moth larvae, eucalyptus snout beetle, termites and eucalyptus borer. In the nursery, E. camaldulensis is susceptible to various fungi causing damping-off and leaf diseases.
4. Information Source Links
Albrecht J. ed. (1993). Tree seed hand book of Kenya. GTZ Forestry Seed Center Muguga, Nairobi, Kenya.
Bein E. (1996). Useful trees and shrubs in Eritrea. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Nairobi, Kenya.
Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre. ISBN-9966-896-70-8.
Local Names: Boni (Samachi); Digo (Mpingo); Duruma (Maringo); Swahili (kikwaju, mpingo, poyi); Giriama (Muhingo); Kamba (Muvingo);Meru (Mwengo);Taita (Myingo)
1. Introduction
General Distribution:
It is a small tree of semi arid Africa and India. It is native to Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Kenya, it is common in Meru National Park and Kitui, Kilifi, Machakos, Taita taveta districts. Also occurs in Tsavo East and around Makueni.
Distribution of Dalbergia melanoxylon in Kenya (c) Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
General Information about the Tree:
Dalbergia melanoxylon provides one of the valuable timbers known. It has hard, durable, termite-resistant, purple-black heartwood enclosed in a thin pale yellow outer layer of sapwood. Wood is dense and polishes well.
Biophysical Limits:
D. melanoxylon does well in the altitude range of between 0 and 1200 m. above sea level; mean annual temperatures of between 18-35 degrees annual rainfalls of between 700 and 200 mm. Soils vary from loamy sands to black cotton soils. The tree prefers areas with a higher water table and is often found in deciduous woodland or bush land , wooded grassland, in rocky sites or on black-cotton soils. It is found in agro-ecological zones II – VI.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
May be propagated using seedlings, wildings or cuttings. It also produces root suckers which can also be used for propagation.It is extremely slow growing; they attain timber size in about 70 – 100 years. Coppising can be used management and side-prunning gives a clear bole. Occurs in woodlot, mixed and enrichment systems, field trials are currently exploring suitable spacing for D. melanoxylon plantations. An initial spacing of 2 x 2 m results in good branching characteristics, while later thinning improves growth. Stem form is improved by raising the trees under medium shade provided by Pinus caribaea. Thorough weeding is important at the initial phase of establishment. After 5-7 years, trees planted early in the rainy season on thoroughly weeded plots averaged about 30% taller than trees planted at the same time but only lightly weeded. Trees planted in the middle of the rainy season and thoroughly weeded were about 45% taller than those planted at the beginning of the rains and lightly weeded. Intensive weeding is crucial until the tree’s root-collar diameter measures about 5 cm. Alternatively, the area around the tree should be slashed until its root-collar diameter measures 8-10 cm. Seed storage behaviour is orthodox; viability can be maintained for several years in hermetic storage at 3 deg. C with 9 – 12% mc. There are about 42 000 seeds/kg.
Products:
Fodder: The pods and leaves can be used as animal fodder.
Apiculture: Like other members of the genus Dalbergia, its honey is dark amber and strong flavoured.
Fuel: Provides high quality fuel; heat generation is so high that fires of D. melanoxylon have been reported to melt cooking utensils.
Timber: Produces high quality timber. It is slightly oily, exceptionally hard and very heavy, brittle and somewhat fissile. The heartwood is extremely durable and resistant to all forms of biological deterioration and insect attacks.
Medicine: The roots are used in traditional medicines to treat abdominal pain, diarrhoea and syphilis. The wood smoke is inhaled to treat headaches and bronchitis.
Services:
Soil fertility improvement: It improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Shade or shelter: The usually evergreen behaviour potentially makes B. aegyptiaca an attractive element to introduce into shelter belts, although because of its slow growth, it is not suitable as a principal species.
3. Pests and Diseases
Heart rot has been observed on some logs, apparently associated with fungal infection following fire damage. Small game may feed on young shoots and leaves.
4. Information Source Links
Beentje HJ. 1994. Kenya trees, shrubs and lianas. National Museums of Kenya.
Bekele-Tesemma A, Birnie A, Tengnas B. 1993. Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA).
Birnie A. 1997. What tree is that? A beginner’s guide to 40 trees in Kenya. Jacaranda designs Ltd.
Order / Family: Meliaceae (Mahogany) Division-Magnoliophyta Order-Sapindales
Local Names: Dogon yaro(Nigerian languages), Kiswahili-Mwarobaini
1. Introduction
The Neem tree originated from the Indomalaysian region and is now widely grown in almost all African countries as well as in arid and semi-arid areas of the world. It was introduced to Eastern Africa during the 19th century by East Indian immigrants, who propagated the tree essentially for its medicinal properties. It is now widely cultivated in Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Togo, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
In Kenya, especially along the Coast, the Neem tree is very well known: in Kiswahili its name is “Muarubaini”, which means the tree of the forty cures. The tree, which grows up to 30 meters and can reach an age between 100 and 200 years, provides shade and timber. The seeds, leaves and bark can be used to produce medical, cosmetic and insecticidal products. Extracts from seeds and leaves can be turned into medicines against a number of ailments as well as insecticides for agricultural use.
Especially the oil, produced out of the seeds, is a much sought after ingredient for cosmetic products. Because it is an evergreen and fast growing tree, Neem is a favourite for reforestation. The wood is useful as building timber because termites will not attack it. When planted on slopes, the tree can help to combat erosion and landslides. The fallen leaves help to neutralise acidic soils.
Neem trees (c) A.M.Varela
Purpose and usage
Medicinal
Pesticides
Cosmetics
Gum
Toothpaste
Wormicide
Fodder
Farm tools and furniture
Anti-desertification
Climatic conditions, soil and water management
Climate:
Neem has a wide climatic adaptability and thrives under sub-humid to semi-arid and arid climatic conditions. It is generally found in areas with mean annual temperatures of 21 to 32degC. It can survive hot temperatures (reportedly up to 50degC), but does not tolerate frost or extended cold, although there are some reports of neem trees surviving light frost. Generally, at temperature below 4degC leaf shedding and death may occur.
The neem tree grows in areas with mean annual rainfalls of 450 mm up to 1,200 mm. It can grow in regions with an annual rainfall below 400 mm, but in such cases it depends largely on the ground water levels.
Altitude:
Neem grows in areas from sea level up to 1200 m, however it thrives at low altitudes. Very often the neem tree is confused with the Persian lilac or chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach) a relative of neem which thrives a high altitudes.
Soils:
The tree grows on a variety of soils, clayey or sandy, saline or alkaline, but will not grow in waterlogged soils. It does particularly well, however, on black cotton soils and deep, well drained soils with good subsurface water. Unlike most other multipurpose tree species, neem thrives on dry, stony, shallow soils and even on soils with hard calcareous or clay pans at a shallow depth. The tree improves soil fertility and water holding capacity because it has the unusual property of calcium mining, and can thereby neutralise acidic soils. Its extensive root system also has a rare physiological capacity to extract nutrients from highly leached sandy soils. Neem can grow on soils with a wide pH range. The optimum growth is at pH 6.2 to 7, but it can also grow well down to pH 5 and survive in soils between pH 3 and .
Propagation and planting
The Neem tree is best propagated from its seeds which will only germinate if less than three months old. The seeds need to be sprinkled daily while laying on a newspaper which is placed on plastic in the shade. The newspaper has to be renewed every second day. After a week the seed will crack and sprout ready to be planted in compost made of half soil and half cow manure. To propagate from a cutting, a small twig has to be stripped of its leaves and stuck into moist soil.
Neem nursery (c) A.M.Varela
Husbandry
Nutrient deficiencies:
A lack of zinc or potassium drastically reduces growth. Trees affected by zinc deficiency show chlorosis of the leaf tips and leaf margins, their shoots exude much resin, and their older leaves fall off. Those with potassium deficiency show leaf tip and marginal chlorosis and die back (necrosis).
Yields
The tree starts bearing fruits after 3 to 5 years and is fully productive after 10 years. Under favourable conditions a tree can produce up to 30kg of seeds per year and 350 kg of leaves.
Management
Land cropped in the first year
Plant rows of neem in the second year
Space the rows about 130 cm in the third year
Alternate rows, thinned out and planted in another field, tree rows now Spaced 2.60m
Eliminate three rows out of four rows in the fourth year
Finally, plantation spacing of 10.4m in between rows is recommended
2. Pests and Diseases
By and large, most neem trees are reputed to be remarkably pest free; however, some pests and diseases occasionally attack neem trees.
Pests
In some parts of Africa (mainly in the Lake Chad Basin), a scale insect (Aonidiella orientalis) has become a serious pest. This and other scale insects sometimes infest neem trees in central and south India. They feed on sap, and although they do little harm to mature trees, they may kill young ones. Now that one type has been detected in Africa, the impact could be severe.
Another insect pest ist the scale insect Pinnaspis strachani(very common in Asia, Africa, and Latin America). Even though neem timber is renowned for termite resistance, termites sometimes damage, or even kill, the living trees. However, they usually attack only sickly specimens.
In Nigeria, 14 insect species and one parasitic plant have been recorded as pests. Few of the attacks were serious, and the trees almost invariably recovered, although their growth and branching may have been affected.
Other Pests of neem tree
1. Phyllocoptes sp.
Distribution: Mbita point western Kenya Biology: attacks seedling in the nursery at the larval stage. It is a gregarious mite Nature of damage: defoliator Management options: not mentioned
2. Tetranychidae (Spider mites)
Distribution: Voi, Eastern Kenya Biology: found on leaflets of neem trees. Attack becomes severe during the dry periods Nature of damage: the pest defoliates leaves. Management options: not mentioned
Distribution: Mbita point, western Kenya also found in India. Biology: forms small colonies consisting of nymphs and adults on the upper surface of leaflets under spider webs. Nature of damage: sapsucker
4. Scirtothrips aurantii (Faure)
Alternative hosts: citrus trees Distribution: Mbita point western Kenya also found in various parts of Kenya Biology: nymphs and a few adults found forming small colonies on the upper and lower surfaces of leaflets. Nature of damage: sapsucker
5. Heteropsylla cubana Crawf (Leuceana psyllid)
alternative hosts: Leuceana Distribution: Mbita point, also a pest of tropics and sub-tropics Biology: adults eggs and first instar nymphs found on tips of shoots of young neem trees. Nature of damage: sapsucker
Distribution: Mombasa Kenya Biology: single females of this widespread coccidae are found on the upper surface of leaflets. Nature of damage: sapsuckers Management options: not mentioned
Diseases
Despite the fact that the leaves contain fungicidal and antibacterial ingredients, certain microbes may attack different parts of the tree, including the following:
Roots (root rot, Ganoderma lucidum, for instance)
Stems and twigs (the blight Corticium salmonicolor, for example)
Leaves (a leaf spot, Cercospora subsessilis; powdery mildew, Oidium sp., and the bacterial blight Pseudomonas azadirachtae)
Seedlings (several blights, rots, and wilts – including Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium)
A canker disease that discolours the wood and seems to coincide with a sudden absorption of water after long droughts has also been observed. (OIA 1992)
3. Information Source Links
Baumer, M. (1983). Notes on trees and shrubs in arid and semi-arid regions. Rome, FAO
FAO/UNEP. Programme: Ecological management of arid and semi-arid range Lands in Africa, near and middle East (EMASAR phase ii) 270 p.
OIA: Office of International Affairs, National Academy of Sciences (1992): Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems. Online version: www.books.nap.edu
Ellis, B.W. and Bradley, F.M. (1992). The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control. Rodale Press. ISBN:0-87596-753-1
It is native to Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Kenya is concentrated in high potential areas in Western and Central parts of the country.
Distribution of Spathodea campanulata in Kenya (c) Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
General Information about the Tree:
This tree species grows naturally in Africa in secondary forests in the high forest zone and in deciduous, transition, and savannah forests. It colonizes even heavily eroded sites, though form and growth rate suffer considerably on difficult sites.
Biophysical Limits:
It thrives in the altitude: 0 – 2 000 m, mean annual temperature: 27 – 300C, mean annual rainfall: 1 300-2 000 mm and it develops best in fertile, deep, well-drained loams. Soil texture may range from loamy sands to clays, pH is between 4.5-8, and soil drainage may vary from poor to excessive. Is spread in agro-ecological zones II – III.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
S. campanulata may be propagated by use of seedlings or wildings and it will coppice up to at least pole size.
Products:
Food: The seeds are edible in many parts of Africa.
Timber: It’s the soft, light brownish-white wood is used for carving and making
Poison: The hard central portion of the fruit is used to kill animals.
Medicine: The bark has laxative and antiseptic properties, and the seeds, flowers and roots are used as medicine. The bark is chewed and sprayed
Services:
This tree is planted extensively as an ornamental tree throughout the tropics and is much appreciated for its very showy reddish-orange or crimson (rarely yellow), campanulate flowers. Other services include
Shade or shelter: Recommended as a shade tree for parks and yards; it has been
Reclamation: S. campanulata helps rehabilitate disturbed lands through its quick invasion and rapid growth. It is not browsed by domestic animals and although a popular decorative tree for avenues it has shallow roots and a tendency for branches to break off in a storm.
Boundary or barrier or support: The species, either planted or growing naturally, is frequently used for living fence posts.
3. Pests and Diseases
It has been observed in Uganda, 2 lepidopteran species, 2 termite species, and 1 bark beetle attack this tree. In Puerto Rico 9 insect species in the orders Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Thysanoptera have been reported as feeding on various parts of S. campanulata. The species is quite susceptible to butt and heart rot; wood of the tree rots quickly when in contact with the ground.
4. Information Source Links
Beentje HJ. 1994. Kenya trees, shrubs and lianas. National Museums of Keny
Bekele-Tesemma A, Birnie A, Tengnas B. 1993. Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA).
Birnie A. 1997. What tree is that? A beginner’s guide to 40 trees in Kenya. Jacaranda.
Local Names: English: it is commonly known as; pepper tree, California pepper tree, Chilean pepper tree, mastic tree, molle, pepper berry tree, weeping pepper, Peruvian mastic, pink pepper and Peruvian pepper tree: Kikuyu (Mubiribiri); Swahili (mpilipili); Luhya (Ipilipili).
1. Introduction
General Distribution:
An evergreen tree commonly planted in dry warm climates throughout the world and in most districts of Kenya.
Distribution of Schinus molle in Kenya (c) Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
General Information about the Tree:
The pepper tree is native to Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. The tree should not be planted close to buildings due to falling branches as the tree ages. It is shallow rooted and likely to be blown over. Pollarding is a good way of reducing this risk. The wood is termite resistant.
Biophysical Limits:
Altitude: 0-2 400 (3 900) m, Mean annual temperature: 15 – 20 deg C., Mean annual rainfall: 300-600 mm, Soil type: Prefers sandy well-drained soils. This tree can tolerate most soils including both dry sands and black cotton. It is also tolerant to alkalinity and salinity. It does well in agro-ecological zones II – V and flowers throughout.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
Seedlings are used in propagating it and it reaches maturity in less than 20 years. It has a low-branching habit, and pruning of lower branches is recommended when the tree is young if clearance beneath is desired and to reduce the chances of the tree being blown over. Coppicing, pollarding and lopping also are viable methods of managing the tree. Planting the trees away from buildings will avoid possible damage from the fall of heavy branches as trees age.
Products:
Food: While not considered poisonous, the berries are not normally eaten. In Mexico, the fruit is ground and mixed with other substances to form beverages. The seeds are sometimes used to adulterate pepper.
Apiculture: S. molle is suitable for bee forage.
Fuel: The wood of S. molle can be burned as both firewood and charcoal.
Timber: Heartwood is a dull, light red, deepening upon exposure and becoming more or less purplish and rather oily looking; distinct but not sharply demarcated from the brownish-grey sapwood; moderately hard and heavy, specific gravity (air-dry) 0.54 – 0.68; texture medium to fine, uniform; grain variable, often irregular; very easy to work; durability high; wood is termite resistant and therefore suitable for posts.
Gum or resin: The tree produces an aromatic resin used as a mastic.
Latex or rubber: Latex is produced from many parts of the tree.
Tannin or dyestuff: Bark is used for tanning skins.
Essential oil: The fruit contains a volatile oil and has a flavour resembling that of a mixture of fennel and pepper. The oil of S. molle exhibits significant activity against several bacterial species, such as Alcaligenes faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The oil also shows the maximum toxic activity against fungus during the screening of some essential oils against some common storage and animal pathogenic fungi.
Services:
Erosion control: The tree is planted for soil conservation. Shade or shelter: The wide, multibranched crown provides good shade and acts as a suitable windbreak.
Ornamental: S. molle is commonly planted as an ornamental; it offers lacy, delicate evergreen foliage, a sculptural, twisted branch structure and an attractive textured bark. Ripe berries are often cut and used fresh or dried in floral displays. The tree has been grown as an indoor bonsai.
Boundary or barrier or support: It is sometimes planted as a live fence
3. Pests and Diseases
Susceptible to scale and psyllid damage; it harbours black scale, which is a serious pest of the Citrus species; in soggy situations it can be prone to root rot.
4. Information Source Links
Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre. ISBN-9966-896-70-8.
Found from Ethiopia to southern Africa, also on the Arabian peninsula and to India and China. In Kenya found in most inland highland areas from Taita Hills to west and northern Kenya. Common in dry Olea-Juniperus-Podocarpus forests and forest margins, 950 – 2,500 m. Found on rocky hillsides, forest margins and along dry riverbeds, where it may occasionally form a pure stand.
Distribution of Olea africana in Kenya (c) Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
General Information about the Tree:
This tree is native to; China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, India, Italy, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. It produces the heaviest woods known. Popular with the Maasai for making rungus (clubs) The poles are strong and used to support the heavy earth roofs of traditional Maasai houses. The charcoal is used for cleaning calabashes and the sticks for smoking milk gourds. Burning branches are used for flavouring soup and giving it a nice smell. O. africana is a complex of several subspecies and varieties
Biophysical Limits:
Altitude range is between 800 m and 2 500 m above sea level. It does best in good forest soil, but once established, can withstand poor soils with little moisture. Is distributed in agro-ecological zones II – III.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
Wildings and seedlings (difficult to raise) may be used to propagate it. Unfertilized seedlings show drought tolerance whilst fertilized seedlings do not. Fertilization with adequate watering results in greatly increased shoot growth but little change in root growth, In summary, plants need adequate nutrition and water to grow, and irrigation or fertilizing plants usually increases their growth where water or nutrients are deficient. Fertilization and irrigation need to be carefully managed to ensure optimal growth is consistent with post transplant survival. Pruning, thinning where necessary, pollarding can be used in management of the trees. Seed storage behaviour is orthodox. Viability can be maintained for several years in hermetic storage at 30C with 6-10% mc. The seeds can be stored at dry room temperature for a few years. There are approximately 13 800 seeds/kg.
Products:
Food: The main olive products are olive oil and edible olives. The fleshy, oil-bearing mesocarp used in commercial olive growing is absent in the much smaller fruits of O. africana ssp. africana. Can also be used for seasoning (fermentation and flavouring milk) and making soup.
Fodder: The plants are much browsed on by livestock.
Fuel: Rural communities use wild olive extensively to provide firewood.
Timber: Wood is hard and heavy; weighing approximately 1 140 kg/cubic m. Sapwood is light brown while the heartwood is red-brown to yellow, with dark figuring. The wood is fine-textured and finishes well, and is often used to make ornaments such as wall clocks and vases. Jewellery items such as beads, brooches and bangles are also made from wild olive wood. Although the tree does not produce sawable logs or branches, there are still several furnituremakers that, with great effort produce furniture from the limited quantities of timber.
Medicine: The Wandorobo and Kipsigis of Kenya use a root or bark decoction as a remedy for malaria.
Services:
Reclamation: The high drought tolerance of O. europaea ssp. africana suggests that it is a good candidate for reforestation in semi-arid zones of the country such as north eastern parts.
Ornamental: Olive plantations have the capacity to beautify the landscape
Shade:it can provide shade for livestock and humas in hot weather
Windbreak:it can shield property from destructive winds
Ceremonial: The tree can be used in performing ceremonies.
3. Pests and Diseases
This is not a serious problem and so no information about the same.
4. Information Source Links
Anon. 1986. The useful plants of India. Publications & Information Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi, India.
Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre. ISBN-9966-896-70-8.
The tree is spread from Kenya south to South Africa. It is often found in clusters where the water table is high, beside lakes or rivers, 600 – 2, 300 m, often on black cotton soils.
General Information about the Tree:
The bark extract was traditionally used for treatment of malaria. It is also a useful tree for protection of water courses and is good in pastures due to its light crown. The seeds and wood are susceptible to insect damage.
Biophysical Limits:
Altitude ranges from 600-2 100 m above sea level. A. xanthophloea prefers sandy soils.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
Seedlings, wildings or direct sowing at site may be used to propagate it. This is one of the fastest-growing thorn-tree species in Africa. It can withstand lopping and if planted as an ornamental, trees should be planted in groups of up to 5 for the best effect. Though its root system is not aggressive, due to the large size of its taproot it should not be planted close to buildings.
Products:
Fuel; it is a good source of firewood and charcoal.
Timber; its wood is hard, heavy, pale brown with a red tinge. It can produce poles and posts. However, it should be seasoned before use, as it is liable to crack
Medicine: Bark extracts are used for medicinal purposes; its roots and powdered bark of the stem can be used as an emetic and as a prophylactic against malaria
Dead fence; dry branches are used as fence and is effective due to the thorns.
Fodder: Foliage and pods provide food for livestock; young branches and leaves are eaten by elephants and the leaves and pods by giraffe and vervet monkeys.
Apiculture: Trees produce good bee forage.
Fuel:A. xanthophloea is planted as a source of firewood, although it produces a gum that leaves a thick, black, tarlike deposit when burnt.
Services:
Soil improver; improves soil fertility by nitrogen fixation.
Prevents soil erosion along rivers; it is good at riverbank stabilization.
Ornamental; it is largely planted at the coast as an ornamental tree.
Shade or shelter: A. xanthophloea provides nesting sites for birds.
Nitrogen fixing: A. xanthophloeafixes atmospheric nitrogen.
Boundary or barrier or support: Trees are planted as live fences
3. Pests and Diseases
The seeds and wood are highly susceptible to insect damage. The vervet monkeys often eat young pods making them not readily available from the natural stands.
4. Information Source Links
ICRAF. 1992. A selection of useful trees and shrubs for Kenya: Notes on their identification, propagation and management for use by farming and pastoral communities. ICRAF.
Albrecht J. ed. 1993. Tree seed hand book of Kenya. GTZ Forestry Seed Center Muguga, Nairobi, Kenya.
Prunus africana Tree (c) A. Bekele-Tesemma, World Agroforestry Centre
Scientific name: Prunus africana
Order / Family: Rosaceae
Local Names: Red stinkwood Kenya: Mumbaume or Mutimailu (Kamba), Tenduet (Keyo), Muiri (Kikuyu), Arareut (Kipsigis), Omoiri (Kisii), Kumuturu (Luhya or Bukusu), Olkoijuk (Maasai), Tenduet (Marakwet), Mweria (Meru), Tendwet (Nandi), Tenduet (Ogiek), Oromoti (Sahaot), Kiburabura (Swahili), Kunyukwa (Tugen) Ethiopia: Tikur inchet (Amargna), Beru (Gimirigna), Arana (Haderigna), Bouraio or Buraya or Homi or Mukor
Geographical Distribution of Prunus africana in Africa. Source ICRAF. Updated on 26th March 2019
1. Introduction
Geographical distribution:
Prunus africana is native to the montane tropical forests of Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It occurs inwild in forests from 22 countries, majority in the Eastern and Southern Africa region such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, but also Cameroon, Nigeria, Sao Tome, Angola etc. A valuable timber and medicinal tree has more recently come under heavy pressure for wild harvest for timber and bark extraction, as there is a fast growing market for the bark. It has been added to Appendix II of CITES list of endangered species, for regulation of trade from wild harvest. Kenya has the largest planted area (628 ha planted by year 2000), but the tree is increasingly becoming a popular agroforestry tree and coppices (it can be cut back and produces shoots from stools or roots) well when young. Leaves and twigs contain the same medicinal properties as the bark; so can be harvested sustainably while coppicing the tree in agroforestry systems. The timber is hard and durable and is used in Africa for the manufacture of various household products such as axes, hoes and furniture.
Biophysical Limits:
Usually found in high rainfall areas; mean annual rainfall between 890-2 600 mm. Altitude ranges between 1, 500 and 2, 300 m above sea level. Mean annual temperature: 18-26 deg.C and is spread in agro-ecological zones I – III. Prunus works well as shade tree for coffee plants and other crops. It grows best in tropical highlands from 1000 to 2500 m above sea level with rainfall between 500 to 2000 mm/year and fertile loam soils.
Propagation and Tree Management:
Seedlings and wildings can be used to propagate it. It is fairly slow growing and when young prunes and coppices well. The tree occurs in Plantations, mixed farming systems and enrichment planting systems. Wildings are used for large scale planting as seeds are dispersed by birds.
2. Description:
Prunus africana(c) A. Bekele-Tesemma, World Agroforestry Centre
An evergreen tree to 40 m. In forests, the high foliage is open, the branches often pendulous, but in grassland the tree is more rounded and compact.
Leaves: Leathery, glossy dark green above, oval to 10 cm, margin with shallow rounded teeth, leaf stalk typically pink, to 2 cm. Crushed leaves have a bitter almond smell.
Flowers: Sprays on stalks about 8 cm long, very small, fragrant, green-white.
Fruit: Rounded about 1 cm, dark red, often bilobed, containing one seed and topped by a persistant style.
3. Propagation and Tree Management
Products:
Apiculture: Flowers have sufficient nectar and pollen for good bee forage.
Fuel: P. africana produces high-quality firewood and charcoal.
Timber: The wood is heavy, hard, durable, straight grained and strong. Red-brown, planes well, takes a high polish, but splits and twists; it is used for heavy construction work, furniture, flooring, turnery, mouldings, poles and mortars.
Poison: Bark, bruised leaves and fruits smell strongly of bitter almonds. They are reputed to be poisonous and are used in witchcraft.
Medicine: Liquid extracts from P. africana bark are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate gland hypertrophy. Leaves are used as an inhalant for fever or are drunk as an infusion to improve appetite. Water is added to pounded bark, and the red liquid is used as a remedy for stomach-ache; bark extract may be used as a purgative for cattle.
Firewood, charcoal, timber (construction), furniture, poles, utensils (mortars), carvings (earrings), medicine (bark, leaves), bee forage, shade, ornamental, mulch, green manure, windbreak, vet medicine.
Services:
Erosion control: Trees can be grown along contour ridges and terraces.
Shade or shelter: P. africana provides useful shade and acts as a windbreak.
Soil improver: Leaves can be used as mulch and green manure.
Ornamental: It makes an attractive garden shade tree.
Seedlings, wildings There is evidence that seeds and seedlings survive best in soil with relatively high humus content. Nursery soils should contain either peat or decomposed sawdust. Seeds generally germinate 50 to 90 days after planting. Up to 50 seedlings/m2 in the nursery can do well – with higher density the survival rate diminishes. Young seedlings need about 40% shade.
It is fairly slow growing and when young prunes and coppices well. The tree occurs in Plantations, mixed farming systems and enrichment planting systems. Wildings are used for large scale planting as seeds are dispersed by birds
Seed:
3400 – 6000 seed per kg; germination 60 – 80%
Treatment:
The fleshy parts should be removed from the seed.
Storage:
Seed does not store well therefore fresh seed should be used.
Prunus africana (c) A. Bekele-Tesemma, World Agroforestry Centre
4. Management and Remarks
Husbandry
Plant young seedlings on contours and borders. Prepare two- feet deep planting holes. Fill it with back soil mixed with compost and leaf matter. Water once a week for the first year. Use a filled and upended bottle or other water conserving system.
Harvesting
Do not harvest bark till the tree is at least 30 cm in diameter at breast height. From trees 30 to 50 cm diameter two bark panels of not more than 15 to 20 cm wide can be harvested from each side of the tree from about one meter above ground level up to the first branch. After 4 to 5 years two more panels can be harvested on the other sides of the tree. If bark is over harvested the tree dies. However leaves contain the same medicinal properties as the bark, so these can be used in local medicine. From younger trees only the leaves and twigs can be pruned or coppiced.
Market
At least four European companies are actively buying bark of Prunus Africana. In 2000 the bark trade amounted to US$ 150 million/year or 3500 tonnes of this commodity. It was estimated that this demand would triple or quadruple to 7 to 11000 tons/year in export and about 500 tonnes/year for use in Africa the next few years.
Remarks:
Wildlings are commonly used for large-scale planting. Seeds are dispersed by birds. The heartwood darkens to a dense red. The tree bark is an important source of raw material for the pharmaceutical industry. In recent years in Kenya, as in several other African countries, this tree has come under heavy pressure of bark extraction. The bark is exported for use by the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of a drug used to manage complications associated with prostatism, a benign enlargement of the prostate. The tree is becoming rare in the wild, although now favorite in agroforestry and afforestation campaigns. It is also increasingly used as a shade tree and ornamental in the homestead. Hollow trees are often inhabited by bees. Prunus is a large genus with several hundred members mainly found in the north temperate zones and including well-known fruit such as apricot (P. armeniaca), plum, almond, peach, and cherry.
Pests and Diseases:
Fungi and insects can infect fruits that are on the ground. A lepidopteran caterpillar feeds on leaves, and at low altitudes aphids attack developing leaf buds, leading to defoliation of the whole tree. Wet conditions encourage infestation of powdery mildew and a stem borer whose presence is indicated by resin exudation through small bore holes.
Prunus africana (c) A. Bekele-Tesemma, World Agroforestry Centre
5. Pests and Diseases
These are mainly coleopterous borers causing wood degradation, but there can be pathogenic fungi affecting nurseries.
6. Information Source Links
Bekele-Tesemma, B. (2007). Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia. World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi, Kenya. ISBN 92-9059-2125 www.worldagroforestry.org
Maundu, P. and Tengnas, B. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya. World Agroforestry Centre. ISBN: 9966-896-70-8 www.worldagroforestry.org
Hall, J. B., O’Brian, E.M. and Sinclair, F.L. (2000). Prunus Africana – A Monograph. School of Agriculture ans Forest Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor. U.K. (ICRAF)
It is native to; Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its a tall forest tree widely distributed in wetter highland forests into the bamboo zone and southwards to southern Africa, Found in the tea growing areas of Kenya, often left in plantations (Mau, Tigoni, Nandi, Elburgon, Nyambene, Solai).
Distribution of Polyscias fulva in Kenya (c) Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
General Information about the Tree:
It can be grown with crops, e.g. banana or coffee. The high crown lets in light and the leaves produces good mulch. It is becoming rare due to overexploitation and planting should be encouraged. No smell thus good for containers. It is also used for beehives making.
Biophysical Limits:
Altitude ranges between 1180 and 2500 m above sea level, mean annual rainfall is between 1500 and 2000 mm and the tree is distributed in agro-ecological zones I – II.
2. Propagation and Tree Management
It may be established in mixed farming or natural management systems. Wildings or seedlings may be used to propagate it. It’s a fast growing tree.
Products:
Fuel: The firewood of Polyscias species is of poor quality.
Timber: Wood is soft, white, odourless and not durable; used to make food containers, tea chests, veneers, plywood, beehives, utensils, musical instruments and mole traps.
Medicine: Leaves have useful medicinal properties.
Services:
Soil improver: Leaf fall provides good mulch, with soil under the tree being quite fertile.
Ornamental: The decorative tree can be grown in amenity areas.
Intercropping: The high crown lets in sunlight, making the tree suitable for intercropping with crops such as banana, coffee or cocoa.
3. Pests and Diseases
There is no information about diseases that affect it. This may be so because is not a serious problem.
4. Information Source Links
Maundu P. and Bo Tengnas. (2005). Useful trees and shrubs for Kenya, World Agroforestry Centre.
