Fever tree - Acacia xanthophloea

Description and Uses

Acacia xanthophloea (Fever tree) is a tropical tree from East Africa. It is mainly grown for its conservation crops (short shelflife), but also Other uses include; apiculture, fodder, fuel, ornamental and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 2 - 5 years. The gum/resin is edible. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-biotica. The bark contains - n/a - (0% - 0%). There is no oil extracted from this tree. The tree`s wood is called fever wood and has a density of 710 - 730 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4200 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 6 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Acacia xanthophloea has a lifespan of 90 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 23 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Acacia xanthophloea has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungus. (endo-mycorrhiza high). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by insects. Acacia xanthophloea is deciduous in dry season and not allelopathic and has thorns.

Acacia xanthophloea thrives in an altitude of 600 to 900 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -4°C and optimally between -2 - 12°C. The optimal rainfall is 229 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 29 - 400 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is 4 to wind a bit tolerant and to fire tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

is susceptible to Scotorythra paludicola as pest and there are no significant diseases diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are hypogeal and can be stored for 5 months. There are approximative 13507.5 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature, (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.

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