African evergreen trees are a diverse group of species, each with unique characteristics and uses. These trees play a crucial role in the ecosystems of Africa, providing shade, food, medicine, and timber. They are also essential for soil conservation, land reclamation, and climate change mitigation.
Here, we explore the characteristics of some notable African evergreen trees, including their botanical features, ecological importance, and various uses.
Afrocarpus
As the name intimates, Afrocarpus is native to Africa. The species are distributed through the Afromontane forests of eastern and southern Africa, descending to the Indian Ocean coast in South Africa. Afrocarpus is a genus of conifer of the family Podocarpaceae. They are evergreen trees. Five species are recognized.
The leaves are simple and flat. The phyllotaxis or leaf arrangement is usually spiral but may be opposite on young plants. The leaves are generally lanceolate in shape and coriaceous in texture. They have a single visible midrib.
Afrocarpus are dioecious, with male pollen cones and female seed cones borne on separate individual plants. The male pollen cones are narrowly cylindrical and resemble catkins. They grow in small groups of two or three cones. The peduncles are glabrous. The female seed cones are solitary. Their peduncles may have small scale leaves.
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The cones consist of several sterile cone scales and one fertile cone scale with just one seed producing ovule. The sterile scales wither as the cone matures, unlike in the closely related genus Podocarpus where the scales fuse to form a fleshy receptacle. A part of the scale supporting the ovule develops into a rounded fleshy covering enclosing the seed entirely known as the epimatium.
Afrocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)
Afrocarpus gracilior has long been cultivated in gardens in the US under the name Podocarpus gracilior but more recently this genus has been split up and the valid name of this plant is now considered to be Afrocarpus gracilior. One of the few conifers native to Africa, it comes from equatorial eastern Africa ranging from Ethiopia south into Uganda and Kenya where it grows in dry forests between 4,000 and 9,000 feet. The distinguishing characteristics between Afrocarpus and Podocarpus has to do with how the seed-bearing structure (the fruit) is held, not on a fleshy stalk or receptacle for Afrocarpus as opposed to Podocarpus, which does have this structure, and because Afrocarpus have opposite decussate leaves that alternate in pairs set at 90 degrees from the pair below it.
Afrocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine) - A dense, graceful tall evergreen tree with dark gray bark and pendulous branches that are heavily clothed in 2-3 inch long, narrow dark green leaves. In habitat it can reach as tall and 100 feet and noted old trees in cultivation are closer to 60 feet tall. Female plants produce at branch ends a yellow fleshy fruit-like structure (technically a cone) that ages to purplish-blue.
Plant in sun or part shade and water regularly. This is a nice dark green shade tree, and it is also useful as a large screening plant. Afrocarpus gracilior, commonly called African fern pine or East African yellowwood, is a large, coniferous, evergreen tree native to montane rainforests of eastern Africa. This fast, vigorous grower can add between 1-3' of new growth per year in the right conditions.
Fully mature trees can reach up to 130' tall with a 110' spread. Young trees are generally upright and take on a broader canopy shape with age. The foliage is narrowly lanceolate in shape, reaching up to 3" long and 0.2" wide and gives the plant a fine texture. The cones appear in spring but are insignificant. The round seeds (up to 1" in diameter) are surrounded by an fleshy coating that ripens from green to orange.
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This plant has various uses in traditional medicine. It is also used as a timber tree and is cultivated as an ornamental. Suitable for use as a hedge or screen if kept well pruned. Will become a large tree if left to its own devices.
Other Notable African Evergreen Trees
Faidherbia
Faidherbia is the ideal tree to intercrop with cereal crops like maize, sorghum, and millet. In Zambia for example, maize yields were 3 tonnes per hectare under Faidherbia canopies and only 2 tonnes per ha. This tree has a unique “Reverse phrenology”, meaning it produces leaves in the dry season and sheds leaves in the rainy season. Where this tree grows spontaneously, farmers protect the seedlings that naturally emerge.
Acacia Senegal
In Africa - the Acacia Senegal grows in semi-arid areas, in countries like Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, where other agriculture can be quite fragile. Self Help Africa has also established several beekeeping projects in the communities where the Acacias grow, and the tree flowers provide nectar for those bees!
Moringa
Moringa grows quickly and is drought resistant. Oil from moringa seeds is used in foods, perfume, and hair care products, and as a machine lubricant.
Casuarina
Casuarina is a remarkable evergreen tree with a finely branched, feathery crown. It is often planted for reclaiming and improving the land. Casuarina fixes atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with a root fungi.
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Umbrella Thorn
Found in Africa from Ethiopia to Mozambique and Zimbabwe the Umbrella Thorn is drought tolerant, produces its own nitrogen and will grow on degraded land and along gullies, making it a good species for restoring degraded land. The Umbrella Thorn provides an edible gum, medicine, fodder and shade for livestock and the well-known acacia honey.
African Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata)
The African Olive is a subspecies of the European Olive. Is a neatly shaped evergreen tree with a dense spreading crown (9 x 12 m) of glossy grey-green to dark-green foliage. The olives are usually made into a non-drying oil which is used on salads and in cooking. The African Olive tree is an asset on farms in very dry areas because it is extremely hardy and is an excellent fodder tree for livestock.
Leucaena leucocephala
Leucaena leucocephala, or more commonly known as ‘White lead tree’, is a fast-growing evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall, produces its own nitrogen and can be repeatedly cut back. The young pods are edible and are high in protein. Self Help Africa planting in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia.
Terminalia sericea (silver terminalia)
Also known as ‘Mpululu’ Terminalia sericea (silver terminalia) is a small, well-formed deciduous tree, 3-16 m with spreading branches to a light rather flat crown. It’s bark dark grey or grey brown, rather rough with longitudinal fissures; branchlets with characteristic purplish bark peeling off in strips, pale below; simple leaves clustered towards the tips of branchlets, 5-12 cm long, narrowed to the base, pale green, leathery, with silvery silky hairs below. The tree occurs in Brachystegia woodland and wooded grasslands, especially on sandy soils, between 450-1,300 m.
Red Mangrove
Red mangrove is one of the most valuable trees for creating and preserving shorelines. Sediments depositing among their adventitious prop roots can eventually build up to create land. Seeds often germinate while they are still on the tree. Red mangroves will often be seen growing in shallow lagoons away from the land. Plants typically reach 6m tall.
Uses of African Evergreen Trees
African evergreen trees have a multitude of uses, contributing significantly to the livelihoods of local communities and the health of the environment. These uses include:
- Agriculture: Intercropping with trees like Faidherbia can significantly increase crop yields.
- Beekeeping: Trees like Acacia Senegal provide nectar for bees, supporting beekeeping projects.
- Food: Many trees provide edible fruits, nuts, and leaves, contributing to local diets.
- Medicine: Some trees have medicinal properties and are used to treat various ailments.
- Timber: Certain species are valuable for their timber, used in construction and furniture making.
- Soil Conservation: Trees like Casuarina and Umbrella Thorn help reclaim and improve degraded land.
- Nitrogen Fixation: Several species fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil.
Table of African Evergreen Trees and Their Uses
| Tree Species | Key Uses |
|---|---|
| Faidherbia | Intercropping, increased crop yields |
| Acacia Senegal | Beekeeping, gum arabic production |
| Moringa | Food, oil production, medicinal uses |
| Casuarina | Land reclamation, nitrogen fixation |
| Umbrella Thorn | Edible gum, medicine, fodder, shade |
| African Olive | Olive oil production, fodder for livestock |
| Leucaena leucocephala | Nitrogen fixation, edible pods |
| Red Mangrove | Shoreline preservation |
