By Henry Jami Mang’eni
The White Cross Berry tree grows on rocks and under 100 millilitres of rain. Between June and October, in the East African dry season, it produces over 1.41kg of tasty, iron-rich fruits per plant.
Climate
Also referred to as Grewia Tenax, it grows in regions with 100-600 millilitres of rain. Can grow in the dry parts of Africa, India, and Arabian regions.
Panting
The method of propagation is seed which comes with challenges and unless you pre-treat the seeds make sure you wash them properly before you plant them. This means a lot of care and guidelines are required during the nursery setting.
Seed is selected from well-matured plants before it is dried for germination.
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Nursery duration is 2 months while it can achieve 1.5 meters height in 8 months.
Most seed source for trees is made from old well-matured plants for good results.
A formal way of getting seed is to visit the KFS (Kenya Forest Services) and NGOs that have an interest in forestry. They can be able to offer selected seeds that are reliable.
Uses
Fruits can be eaten fresh or dry also an ingredient in porridge and dough. It is highly rich in irons.
Landscapers in hard conditions prefer to use it as a live fence. Conservationists prefer it in sandy areas because of the strong rooting system that gives it the ability to hold soils together against erosion.
In agroforestry, it can combine well with other plants.
There are traditional hut builders in rural areas that use its bark as rope for binding.
Because of the hardness of the wood; produces walking sticks, handles, spears, canoes, and other commodities that can be made out of it.
It is a medicinal plant used in treating colds, coughs, and chest pains. Patients with Typhoid are also advised to use it.
Interestingly women use the preparation from the bark of the tree to work against hair vermin.
During the growth period of the plant, the livestock enjoy feeding on the young leaves.
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In apiculture, the tree becomes important for the bees that use the flower for pollen and the nectar.
Branches can be used for firewood and also charcoal making and it is important to understand that this should be utilized with caution for the sake of conservation, the branches used must be the excessive ones during pruning meaning the unwanted ones.