Fever Tree: Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
Fever Tree: Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
Fever tree
Acacia xanthophloea
agriculture,
forestry & fisheries
Department:
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
-PRODUCTION GUIDELINE-
Fever tree
Acacia xanthophloea
2015
Disclaimer
This document has been compiled by the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and
every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness of the information contained
herein and all liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in such information and data, whether
attributable to inadvertence or otherwise. The department of agriculture therefore accepts no
liability that can be incurred resulting from the use of this information.
Contents
Classification
Kingdom: plantae
Family: fabaceae (mimosoideae)
Scientific name: Acacia xanthophloea
Common names: fever tree (english); koorsboom (afrikaans); mooka-
kwena (sepedi); umhlosinga (isizulu); nkelenga
(xitsonga); munzhelenga (venda)
Production levels
International
The fever tree’s bark is traded on local markets in South Africa, with an esti-
mated trade volume of 7 500 kg in 1988. It is also imported from Mozambique.
South Africa
The fever tree is seen in cultivation in the cooler areas of the highveld such as
certain parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The production/domestication of
the fever tree in South Africa has not been documented yet.
Cultivars
Acacia xanthophloea belongs to the pod bearing family fabaceae. There are
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40 species, subspecies and varieties of acacia present in South Africa. Many
species such as the fever tree have leaflets which fold up at night.
Description
Mature plants
The tree’s bark has a striking appearance, which is smooth, slightly flaking and
greenish-yellow to yellow in colour. The fever tree is an attractive, semi-decidu-
ous tree approximately 15 to 25 m tall and 10 m wide, has an open, rounded
to spreading or flattish crown, which is sparsely foliated. If the powdery surface
is rubbed away with a finger, it reveals a green bark beneath.
• Twigs
Young twigs have a reddish-brown bark which, when peeled off, leaves the
twigs sulphur yellow.
• Leaves
Leaves are bipinnate, with 4 to 7 pairs of pinnae and 10 to 17 pairs of leaflets
per pinnae. Leaflets are 2,5 to 6,5 mm x 0,75 – 1,75 mm long. Spines are white,
straight, strong, and arranged in pairs.
• Thorns
The long, straight, and white thorns are arranged in pairs and although they
are very significant on young trees, they often become barely noticeable on
mature specimens.
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• Flowers
The flowers are sweetly scented golden yellow balls and form during spring.
Flowers are pollinated by insects. The blossoming time is between September
and November.
• Roots
Large size tap roots which are not aggressive should not be planted close to
buildings. If planted for ornamental purpose, trees should be planted in groups
of up to 5 for best effects.
Climatic requirements
Temperature
The fever tree prefers moist and warm growing conditions but does well in drier
areas, if given adequate amounts of water. It can only tolerate low levels of
frost and is completely intolerant to drought. It is able to survive moderately low
temperatures. Six or more hours of sunlight a day are favourable.
Soil requirements
The fever tree prefers sandy soil and it is often found in black cotton soils. The
plant has root nodules containing nitrogen fixing bacteria, which allows for the
nitrogen enrichment of soils, which has a positive impact on the growth of the
tree.
Water requirements
The fever tree occurs mainly in depressions and shallow pans where under-
ground water is present or surface water collects after summer rains. It is also
found in low-lying swampy areas, along the margins of lakes and on river banks.
Propagation
The fever tree is propagated through seeds and seedlings.
Seeding production
Seed need scarification to achieve maximum germination. Before sowing, the
seed should be soaked in hot water overnight. This causes the seeds to swell
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and prepares them to be sown by the next morning. Seeds can be sown in
seedling trays using a well-drained seedling medium and then covered lightly.
Germination is generally fair, reaching about 70% after two weeks.
When the seedlings reach the two leaf stage (approximately six to eight weeks
after sowing), they should be transplanted from seedling trays into nursery
bags, taking care not to damage the long tap root. Seedlings and young trees
transplant well.
Soil preparation
Vegetation and weeds should be killed-off by the use of pre-sprouting herbi-
cides, be removed or smothered (buried) before any work on the soil of the
planting area is done.
Planting
The seedlings are normally planted in the ground after 6 to 12 months when
they are 1 m tall. Owing to its mature dimensions, it is recommended not to
plant it close to the buildings.
A 6 cm deep hole should be dug and compost should be added to the soil
that was removed from the hole. The tree should be placed in the centre of
the hole and the soil at the top of the root ball must be level with the surround-
ing soil surface. The hole should be filled with soil mixture. Firm it well and make
a basin around the tree. It should be planted in late spring to early summer
season.
Fertilisation
It requires plenty of compost at the juvenile growth stage. Fertilisers are not yet
specified. Fever tree root improves soil fertility by nitrogen fixation.
Irrigation
The fever tree requires regular deep watering because it is indigenously grown
in swampy areas. The tree grows well in wet soil conditions.
Weed control
The best way to control weeds is prevention. Weed infestation should be treat-
ed when the weeds are still small.
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Pest control
Insects such as bees are attracted by the yellow colour and sweet scent of the
flowers and perform a pollination role. The information on pests that infest the
fever tree in South Africa has not yet been documented.
Seed and wood are susceptible to pests damage. Monkeys often eat young
pods making them not readily available from natural stands.
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Notes
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Notes
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Contact Details