Sesbania sesban - River bean - is an easily grown tree which can withstand water logging as well as dry conditions. It is quite rapid growing but has a relatively short lifespan. Sesbania can trimmed into a hedge.
Description: A short lived, sometimes deciduous shrub or tree growing to perhaps 8 metres.
Bark is red-brown and the young shoots are hairy. Leaves are compound to 12 cm with each leaflet being up to 2 cm with the tip being notched.
The flowers are yellow and speckled - in bunches.
The fruit are thin pale brown pods with seeds in separated sections so the seed rattle within.
Uses: Firewood, poles, stock fodder, shade, nitrogen fixation.
Propagation: Collect the pods which open when they are dry. There are 110 000 viable seeds per kg. The seeds can be stored for a long time. Hot water soak and direct sow. Germination 16 - 20 days (65%) therefore sow two seeds per pot.
I used Sesbania sesban as a shade tree in the nursery and did not experience it to be deciduous. I pruned to a single stem and crown out so I did not bump my head.
Sometimes a black caterpillar invaded the tree and if one fell down my neck it would itch!
One woman in Likamba used the tree as a wide-spaced hedge using the prunings to feed her zero grazed cow (a supplement really) the sticks that were not eaten, she collected and put on the low roof of her cow banga (shed). After just three days she used them in her fire to boil a sufaria of water to make tea.
Description: A short lived, sometimes deciduous shrub or tree growing to perhaps 8 metres.
Bark is red-brown and the young shoots are hairy. Leaves are compound to 12 cm with each leaflet being up to 2 cm with the tip being notched.
The flowers are yellow and speckled - in bunches.
The fruit are thin pale brown pods with seeds in separated sections so the seed rattle within.
Uses: Firewood, poles, stock fodder, shade, nitrogen fixation.
Propagation: Collect the pods which open when they are dry. There are 110 000 viable seeds per kg. The seeds can be stored for a long time. Hot water soak and direct sow. Germination 16 - 20 days (65%) therefore sow two seeds per pot.
I used Sesbania sesban as a shade tree in the nursery and did not experience it to be deciduous. I pruned to a single stem and crown out so I did not bump my head.
Sometimes a black caterpillar invaded the tree and if one fell down my neck it would itch!
One woman in Likamba used the tree as a wide-spaced hedge using the prunings to feed her zero grazed cow (a supplement really) the sticks that were not eaten, she collected and put on the low roof of her cow banga (shed). After just three days she used them in her fire to boil a sufaria of water to make tea.
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