Tamarillo

Tamarillo is the marketing name for Tree Tomato, or Mgogwe in Swahili.

The species originates from the Andes in Peru and in now grown in warmer part of temperate climates and in the tropics where there is adequate rainfall. It prefers deeper, richer soils and starts bearing fruit after two years, optimum production after 4 years and the tree lives to about 12 years.

It is a member of the same family as potato and the poisonous nightshade.

Description: A large evergreen shrub of small tree to 3m and umbrella like branching. Bark is grey brown when older with rounded leaf scars, while the young bark/stems are shiny green. Leaves are alternate, long stalked, large and heart shaped - 30 x 40cm. Soft and hairy, drooping in the heat of the day. Flowers are fragrant and hang in groups on older stems. Each flower is five-lobed, whitish pink with a darker stripe. Fruit are in bunches, egg shaped >7cm long on a longish stem. Skin is shiny and ripe fruits are red but some varieties are striped or even yellow.

Uses: Food - the fruit are high in vitamin value, tart and sweeten well with sugar. Eaten raw or cooked.

Propagation:  There are around 100 000 seeds per kg, can be stored and have >60% viability.

Sow seeds directly into pots and out-planting can be carried out after six months.

I used to use Tamarillo trees as shade shelter in my tree nursery which proved very effective. I did had some difficulty with monkeys robbing the fruit - and they really liked them. They would rush in - even if I was working in the nursery - tipping pots over in their charge for the fruit.

I would highly recommend the tree for planting in Tanzania but sourcing seed might be difficult.

Croton megalocarpus

Simply called Croton in English, the Meru name is Marabai and Maasai Ol Mergoit but it seems no particular name has been given in Swahili.

The tree is a dominant upper-storey forest tree in East Africa and widespread around Kilimanjaro, Meru, Ngorongoro and Usambara. There remain single specimens in cultivated areas. Requires adequate rainfall and the endemic range is 1 200 - 2 400 m  but it has been planted at lower altitudes.

Description:  A spreading deciduous tree >35m with distinctive layering of branches. The crown tends to be flattish and provides lighter shade. Bark is dark grey, rough and with cracking. Leaves are variable, long oval - pointed .12cm and often shorter. Dull green upper surface with silvery underside. Flowers are short-lived but conspicuous - buds opening after heavy rain - are pale yellow spikes >25cm with a few female flowers at the base. The fruit are grey/brown woody capsules 2.5cm containing three flatted (speckled) seeds inside.

Uses: Bee fodder, shade, mulch, medicine from the bark, poles, timber and fuel-wood.  

Propagation:  The tree seeds prolifically and there are 1000 seeds per kg. Seed cannot be stored for long because of the oil contained within the kernel. After 6 months the seeds sour and will have lost 50% viability.

Direct sow into pots and 70% germination can be expected after 30 days.

Seedings are fast growing and the tree responds to lopping to reduce the crown over crops.

The seed had a high oil content and has been taken as a purgative but is powerful! Some cultures prefer not to have the tree near houses.

The smoke from firewood is an eye irritant. 

Fallen leaves are naturally  recycled to add soil nutrient and is a hansom tree on roadsides.

Croton macrostachyus

Broadleaved Croton has many local names but the Swahili name is obscure and members of our seminars in Meru did not recognize Mfurufuru ans much as Marabai.

The tree has some dominance on higher rainfall areas of East Africa including the mountain areas of Meru, Kilimanjaro,  and Iringa.

Description: A medium sized tree to 20m.. The crown open and rounded with some heavy branches. The bark is pale grey and smooth. The leaves are Heart shaped, large and soft to 15cm and on long stems crowded at the ends of branchlets. . The flowers are creamy yellow and sweetly scented in erect spikes .25cm. Flower spike droops as seed capsules form. The fruit are pea-sized capsules on the drooping spikes. The capsule split open with a load crack to release shiny seeds with a soft white/crean aril.

Uses:Poles, tool handles medicine (sap, leaves, roots, bark), bee fodder, soil conservation and shade. Poor timber and firewood burns with unpleasant smoke.

Propagation: There are 15 000 - 25 000 seeds per kg and very often the seed is damaged by insect attack. Germination of sound seed is 50 - 60% within 60 days.

Seed will store for a short time if kept cool and insect free.

Seed treatment is not necessary and the capsules are collected when ripe and left in the sun to open.

Direct sow into pots.

The tree grows quickly in good sites and may be lopped or pollarded  over crops.

Seeds and resin are poisonous and freshly cut wood has a spicy smell - unpleasant.

The tree is good for inter-cropping eg in coffee plantations.

Wood is soft, light and perishable.

Citrus limon

We all the Lemon, or in Swahili, Mlimao. One of the oldest sources of vitamin C and one of the first fragrance put into soap.

It is said that the species is from somewhere in India but has been cultivated worldwide.

The species prefers a well drained fertile soil and tolerated higher altitudes than other citrus.

Especially in high humidity the tree is susceptible to pests and diseases.

Description: A tree reaching >8m , open crowned with branches thicker by the trunk. Young plants are often thorny. Leaves are pale green and sharp-tipped and >10cm long, edges are toothed. Stalks are short. Flowers are white, solitary and fragrant. Petals are thick and backed purple/red. Buds are purplish.Fruit size varies (with variety) 6-8cm green turning to yellow - juicy with acid taste.

Uses: From the fruit juice and flavoring and oil from the skin. Uses are wide and varied. Fallen branches and dead trees are suitable for firewood.

Propagation: The seeds are large and 2 000 per kg. Viability is variable and the seed does not store well.

Seeds should be dried off for a week or more then direct sown. Germination is better than other citrus. Fruiting can be sped up by grafting a mature branch to a seedling and this is done for the many varieties that age grown for various uses eg patio pots.

In milder climates ripe fruit may be found on the tree throughout the year.

Casurina junghuhniana (C. montana)

The Casurina species is often called She Oak but the name is supposed to relate to C. junghuhniana whereas C.cunninghamiana is called River  Oak. However the similarity is close and both are Mvinje in Swahili.

The species is indigenous to the highlands of Indonesia and to Australia, and it grows in a variety of soil conditions from sea level to about 2 000m and can withstand exposure to salt and drought.

In Tanzania the species can be found at Lushoto and on Zanzibar.

Description: A tall tree reaching to >30m, usually with a straight trunk >1m in diameter. The tree has a narrow, conical crown - dark grey/green colour. Bark is dark brown to almost black and is rough and corky sometime with furrows. Leaves are similar to needles with leaf scales, pale green branchlets 30 - 40cm long drooping. Male & female flowers are on separate trees and in clusters. Fruit are small capsules on female trees 9 -12mm in diameter, woody but not with prickles. The tiny valves open to released seed.

Uses: Fuelwood, timber, poles, tool handles, charcoal. Forestry and conservation as the species in nitrogen fixing.

Propagation: There are 80 000 - 100 000 seeds per kg with uniform and good germination rate. Seed treatment is not necessary but germination is improved by cold water soaking overnight before sowing.

Seeds store well for >1year kept dry and at room temperature.

May be direct sown or sown in beds for later pricking out

The trees grow quickly and around homes respond to pollarding to reduce crown and utilize wood material (and foliage for stock fodder).

Is used for horticulture shelter in NZ and Australia. Roots tend to spread sideways and so suckers erupt. These can be transplanted.

The timber tends to split and crack but is heavy and hard - poles are perhaps more useful for traditional houses also as rails instead of log slabs (mabanzi).