Growing Melia Volkensii (Mukau) In Drylands

Common names:

Mukau (Kamba/Mbeere/Embu/Meru;

Mpendabure (Swahili); Kirumbutu (Taita);

Boba (Somali).

      

                      

Suitable regions for growing Melia.

In Kenya, the species grows mostly in Elwak, Marsabit, Wajir, Merli, Modo Gashi, Isiolo, Garissa, Mbeere, Tharaka, Mutomo, Kitui, Mwingi, Makueni, Machakos, Voi and Taita Taveta amongst other areas.

Why grow Melia volkensii?

It is an indigenous tree that is endemic to semi arid and arid areas (ASALS) of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania), in the family MAHOGANY (Meliaceae). It is fast growing and produces high quality termite resistant.

Products.

·         Timber (From ten years).

·         Posts (about 4 years),

·         Fodder (from 1 year),

·         Bee forage (when it blooms),

·         Natural fertilizer  

·         Traditional Log- hives.

The demand for this tree is high, and it can be planted in large plantations, small woodlots, managed as remnants of natural stands, scattered trees in croplands and homestead compounds. The tree can be highly commercialized in the ASALS, as plantation tree crop.

Characteristics and environmental requirements of Melia volkensii

·         Is a deciduous tree, 6 -20 m tall with diameter of up to 30cm.

·         Grows in altitudes of 350 – 1700 m.a.s.l. with mean annual rainfall of 300 – 800mm.

·         Grows well in most sandy, loamy, clay and shallow stony soils but prefers sandy loamy soils with good drainage.

Transplanting to the field

Site selection

·         Select the site before the onset of rains. This should be in well drained soils i.e. sandy or loamy soils.  Melia is very sensitive to flooding and does to perform well in black cotton soil

Spacing and Pitting

Spacing may depend with the amount of precipitation:

·                     3.5 x 3.5m in areas with relatively good rains (about 325 trees/acre; 815 trees/ha)

·                     4.0 x 4.0m (Recommended), about 250 trees/acre; 625 trees /Ha.

·                     5.0 x 5.0m in relatively dry areas, about 160 trees/acre; 400 trees/Ha

·                     Planting holes should be at least 45cm square and 45 cm deep. Larger holes are better during initial stages of tree growth as they hold more rain water and make it available to the plant for a longer period. (Refill the planting hole with the original top soil just before the rains begin. Mark the centre of the hole with a stake).

                

Planting of the Melia seedlings

·                     Planting should be done when there is enough moisture build-up in the soil. 

·                     Make a hole the size of the seedling container in the middle of the planting pit, using a jembe or matchet

·                     Slightly squeeze the seedling container on the sides to loosen the potting soil and remove the container while carefully retaining the ball of the soil around the roots.

·                     Lower the seedling in to the pit to the root collar level and compact the surface around the seedling first by hand and then by foot to increase contact between seedling and roots and soil.

Weeding

·                     At least two or three weeding per season is recommended within the first three years

Protection

·                     Protect the seedlings from browsers for at least 1 to 2 years after the roots have taken off especially livestock e.g. donkeys, goats which at times debark the trees.

Pruning

·                     Prune by plucking young buds, which if not removed will develop into branches. Do not remove leaves. The pruning is important to get clean, long and a straight bole with few knots, and hence improves the quality of timber.

·                     Pruning is recommended to start as early as three months after planting. The Melia trees should be pruned up to two thirds of the tree height. Over pruning will result in weak stems which bend over time.

Managing Melia and Crop interactions

·                     Can intercrop with agricultural crops especially legumes. It does not compete with crops as it has a light crown and the root system is not extensive.

For more information contact the following:-

The Programme Manager,

Tree Biotechnology Programme Trust Headquarters.

P.O. Box 64159 - 00620, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel:  254 20 202 0641, +254 0720 955 160

Cell phone: 070955160 or 0725886014

Clonal Nursery: Tel: 254 20 251 9959

E mail:  info@tree-biotech.com

Web Site: www.tree-biotech.com

CENTRE MANAGERS.

Eldoret, Nimrod. Tel. +254 0734 541 064

Gede, Malindi, Julia. +254 0735 819 909

Lamu, Simon +254 0717 705 042