Growing the Wonder Trees of the Schools Green Initiative Challenge
The tree performs best on deep, well-drained fertile soils with pH value of 5.5-7.5, but will grow on degraded lateritic soils provided they are well drained. It is intolerant of saline soils.
The tree grows fast even in comparatively infertile soils. For the production of fuel wood and charcoal, plantations are generally pollard or regenerated by coppice. If coppiced, 2-3 shoots per stump are left after one year. The species can produce several coppice cycles, with a rotation of 4-7 years for pole production.
The dense, dark-coloured wood of Muveshi makes good fuel with an energy value of 22,400 kJ/kg, and the density is 600-800 kg/m³. The wood was formerly preferred for locomotive engines. Its charcoal is also of excellent quality.
Growing Mukau
The tree is drought-resistant and can grow in dry areas with mean average rainfall between 400-1000mm. It prefers red sandy soils but survives in heavier, clayish ones though it cannot stand water logging and will die after a couple of days if its root system is flooded with water. Equally, at planting, it is not advisable to plant it in a pit where water can accumulate, as the seedling will die.
The germination process requires special attention. The fruits contain two to four seeds that are encased in a hard nut. The nut has to be cracked with care, so that the seeds are not
About one week old germination of Mukau.
damaged. Once extracted, the seeds are nipped at the top, and soaked in water to allow germination.
