NONLEGUMINOUS AGROFORESTRY TREES
In addition to the more conventional crops, many trees are used around the small farm for a wide variety of purposes. The potential multi-uses of trees on the small farm are many, including the production of food, feed, industrial raw materials, lumber, and fuel, living fences, alley cropping, shade, source of nutrients for the soil, and erosion control. Altitude ranges are given as a guide. We have an Agroforestry Principles Technical Note if you are interested in this area.
Seeds are available to members of our network.
To find out how to request seeds, click here.
Buffalo Thorn | Camel's Foot | Cassia | Eucalyptus | Gumbo Limbo | Moringa | Neem | Physic Nut | Red Mahogany | Silk Oak | Tagasaste | Terminalia | Toona
Azadirachta indica Elevation: 0-1500m
Neem SA, MS
Seed available in September and October and are only viable for about 1-3 months. Extremely drought tolerant; grows quickly to yield fuelwood, excellent charcoal and durable timber. Seeds and leaves used to make insecticide/fungicide. Has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Does poorly in water-logged soils and is frost sensitive. Established trees withstand drought and intense sunlight. Optimum Soil pH: 5-7. Seed image
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Bursera simaruba Elevation: 0-1000m
Gumbo Limbo MS, LL
Images: tree leaves seeds
The light, soft, spongy wood can be used for fence posts, or the trees can be grown and used as a living fence. Wood is also used for timber and fuel. Turpentine-scented resin often used for making glue or varnish. Gumbo limbo coppices well. It has high wind and salt tolerance. Grows best in sandy, well-drained soils. Can grow up to 20m tall. Native to the tropical Americas.
Chamaecytisus prolifer Elevation: 0-1000m
Tagasaste/ Tree Lucerne MS, T
Tagasaste is a fast-growing shrub or small tree, originating in La Palma in the Canary Islands. Tagasaste produces high yields of palatable, nutritious fodder as well as shade for livestock. It helps to control soil erosion and increases fertility. It produces nectar for bees and the thick branches produce an intense heat when used as fuelwood. Successful growth is best in temperate regions with wet winters and dry summers. Have been reported to survive at 3000m in Ethiopia. Seeds are attractive to birds.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis Elevation: 0-1500m
Red Gum SA, LL, M
Spreading tree to 40 meters. Useful source of fuel on dry coastal soils. Good for saline and alkaline soils. Optimum soil pH: 5-7. Rainfall: 600-1000mm/year.
Grevillea robusta Elevation: 0-3000m in tropics
Silk Oak SA, MS, H
Excellent timber production; for high altitudes, wide climatic range; requires medium soil fertility; moderate drought resistance; wind firm; some weed potential; little competition with crops for water. Optimum soil pH: 5-7.
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Jatropha curcas Elevation: 0-1600m
Physic nut SA, MS
The oil from the seeds is used for candles, soap, and bio-diesel production. The oil can be processed and used as a substitute for diesel fuel. An oil lamp may be made with a floating wick. The seed shells and wood can be burned for cooking. However the seeds are highly toxic to humans and many animals because they contain the protein curcin and diterpene esters. Optimum soil pH: 5-7.
Khaya nyasica Elevation: 0-1000m
Red Mahogany SA, MS, H
It is an important timber species, also for furniture, firewood, tools, carving and for canoes. An infusion of the bark is said to relieve colds and oil from the seeds is reported to kill head lice. Native to Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Moringa oleifera Elevation: 0-1000m
Moringa, Horseradish Tree, Drumstick tree LL, MS, SA, H
There are approximately 13 moringa species. Of these, M. oleifera is the most widely known. It is commonly grown for its nutritious leaves, which can be dried and pounded (e.g. in a mortar and pestle) to convert to leaf powder. The powder can then be added to food dishes. High density plantings can be used, along with pruning, to maximize leaf production. Moringa can also be grown for its edible pods (harvested/cooked at an immature stage).
Refer to Leafy Vegetables section for varieties available.
Moringa stenopetala Elevation: 1000m-2000m
African Moringa SA, MS, H
Native to Ethiopia. In comparison to M. oleifera, M. steonpetala has larger leaves with a milder taste when eaten raw, provides more shade, has a stockier and ore bushy growth habit, can be more vigorous, is more drought-resistant, has larger seeds, and takes longer to produce seed. Whole plants have been used as living hedges, fences, and windbreaks. The wood is very soft: useful for paper but makes low-grade firewood and charcoal. A fast growing tree. Note: Stenopetala performs best in drier climates. Optimum soil pH: 5-7.
Refer to Leafy Vegetables section for varieties available.
Images: Flowers Leaves Pods Seeds Tree
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Piliostigma Thonningii (or Bauhinia Thonningii) Elevation: 0-1850m
Monkey Bread/Camel's Foot SA, MS, H
The Monkey Bread tree has many uses for humans, animals and the soil. Humans eat the pulp, pods, fresh leaves, bark and substitute the green pods for soap. The greatest use is for making firewood and building construction but the gum tapped from the bark is used as caulking, the bark is made into rope, and extractions from various parts are used for dye and tannin. Cattle will eat the leaves, bark, pods and seeds. Bees find the blossoms are a good source of nectar . Tolerates heavy clay soils.
Senna spectabilis Elevation: 0-2000m
Cassia SA, MS, H
A rounded, deciduous tree up to 10m. S. spectabilis is tolerant of cool conditions. Popular as shade and ornamental. Fast growing,used for fuelwood, green manure, and light construction. Optimum soil pH: 5.5-7.
Terminalia sericea Elevation: 0-1500m
Silver Terminalia, Silver Cluster MS, LL,H
Trim wings or plant fresh. Plant 1.5-2cm deep. Thrives in sandy soils with moderate rainfall (350-750mmmm/yr). Common as a shrub or tree (5m) useful for reforestation, construction, medicinal properties, and general purpose wood. The roots can be cut into strips and used as a strong rope. The wood is also termite resistant.
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Toona ciliata Elevation: 0-1500m
Toon Tree MS, LL, H
The toon tree is a large deciduous tree, reaching 20-30 m( 70-100') high and 1.8-3 m (6-10') in girth with a large spreading crown and shallow roots. The wood is valuable for firewood, charcoal, timber, windbreaks, furniture and as a substrate for growing shitake mushrooms. There is a strong, long-lasting spicy odor to the wood and the flowers. The flowers also produce abundant nectar and are an ingredient in yellow dyes. The leaves are used as fodder for animals and as mulch. Some bark extracts have insect-repelling properties. Can become invasive if conditions are favorable. More drought tolerant once established (700mm/yr). Optimum soil pH: 5.5-6.5.
Ziziphus abyssinica Elevation: 400-2000m
Buffalo Thorn SA, MS, H
This is a thorny shrub or small tree that can reach heights of 7-12m (25-40feet). Grows well in arid, tropical, or subtropical climates at low altitudes of 400-2000m (1300-6500 feet). It can tolerate cold temperatures as low as -25˚ C (-13˚F) and rainfall from 300-2000mm (12-80 inches). The bark is used for making a dye. It is grown for both fruit and foliage for human and livestock consumption. The wood makes good firewood, charcoal, fence posts, and furniture. The thorns on the tangled branches makes this specimen excellent as a living fence. Optimum soil pH: 5.5-7.5.
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