DISTRIBUTION
Found in forests by rivers, forest edges or open woodlands, savannahs and secondary forests, riverine woodlands, and gallery forests. It is adaptable to a variety of climates. The tree prefers sites along rivers and at forest edges at altitudes under 2500 m (FAO 1986). B. micrantha is found in Mbeya, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, and Iringa (Rulangaranga 1989).
Status: The tree is becoming scarce due to over exploitation (RSCU 1992).
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Minimum Altitude (m): |
300 |
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Maximum Altitude (m): |
2500 |
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Minimum Rainfall (mm): |
800 |
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Maximum Rainfall (mm): |
2500 |
REQUIREMENTS
Soil Requirements: Tolerates a wide variety from sandy clay loams to clay loams. It grows easily in deep, moist soil.
Influential Factors: A fast growing indigenous tree. It can withstand 5 to 6 degrees C of frost if sheltered (Palmer and Pitman 1972).
PROPAGATION
Means of Propagation: Seed and coppicing.
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Seed Sources: |
700 TSH per kg - Silviculture Research Centre 1991/92. |
Seed Treatments: Fruits are small, oval, and turn from green to black when mature. Trees do not bear fruit each year. Pretreatment appears unnecessary (RSCU 1992). As an oil seed it has short storage viability. It may reproduce from cuttings as do other members of the Euphorbia family (Teel 1984).
SILVICULTURE
Planting Types: Commonly intercropped and managed by small scale farmers. It is not planted near homesteads as it attracts caterpillars and birds (RSCU 1992).
Growth Cycle: In Tanzania flowering occurs during the rainy season (October to March), with fruits ripening towards the end of the rainy season, extending into the dry season (April to July) (FAO 1986). Fruits are edible most of the summer.
Management Systems: It tolerates lopping, pollarding and coppicing. The crown is dense and broad, and not recommended for intercropping (Teel 1984). Coppices readily after trees are felled. Root suckers are produced if the roots are injured (FAO 1986). The tree is highly susceptible to competition from weeds.
IMPORTANT USES
Use #1: FUELWOOD
It is regarded as one of the best fuelwood trees and is used for both firewood and charcoal.
Use #2: GENERAL PURPOSE WOOD
A durable termite resistant wood that is in high demand for poles, tool handles, bows, and timber for interior carpentry.
Use #3: MEDICINE
The roots are crushed and used for treating stomach aches, tapeworms, diarrhoea, headaches, and sore joints (Rulangaranga 1989). The leaf sap is used for sore eyes.
OTHER USES: The fruits are sweet, tasting like currants and are readily eaten by children.
NOTES
The tree is host to hairy caterpillars which feed on leaves. In Nigeria and Uganda the tree is cultivated as food for silkworms, which produce a light brown silk (Tredgold 1986).
