Lucky bean tree - Afzelia quanzensis
Description and Uses
Afzelia quanzensis (Lucky bean tree) is a tropical tree from East Africa. It is mainly grown for its timber crops (very long shelflife), but also Other uses include; oil, ornamental and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 4 - 7 years. The first yield will be 0.5 m/year growth but in its top season there will be a yield of 15 meter trunk. There are no edible parts. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-arthritic activity. The seed/nut contains Crepenynic acid (0.9 mg/g - 1.0 mg/g). There is Azelia seed oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 25 - 26% oil. The tree`s wood is called Afzelia and has a density of 800 - 810 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is medium, its energetic value is 4100 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 55 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Afzelia quanzensis has a lifespan of 100 years.
Environmental limitations
The tree is 24 meters tall. It is medium growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Afzelia quanzensis has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations Glomus intraradices,Pisolithus tinctorius (endo and ecto mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is uni-sexual and is pollinated by insects. Afzelia quanzensis is deciduous in dry season and not allelopathic and has no thorns.
Afzelia quanzensis thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1300 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 7°C and optimally between 18 - 40°C. The optimal rainfall is 1450 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 600 - 1700 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is intolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire a bit tolerant.
Pests and Diseases
is susceptible to Pachydissus hector as pest and there are no significant diseases diseases.
Seed Propagation
Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 400 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature, (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature., (3) Seeds germinate above ground (epigeous)
