Traditional knowledge on tree characteristic and use for

Traditional knowledge on tree characteristic and use for Agroforestry in Ghana By E. Owusu-Sekyere Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) Kumasi

Presentation Outline 1. Introduction. 2. Factors for trees on farms based on traditional knowledge. 3. Some examples to buttress the potential application of TFK. 4. Conclusions.

INTRODUCTION • Traditional method of farming has been the slash and burn and shifting cultivation. • Some tree species are deliberately left on farms to serve different functions. • Importance of the tree-crop associations has been known through long history of farming systems and the knowledge handed over to later generations.

• Farmers wealth of knowledge about tree-crop associations are crucial for the development of agroforestry systems. • Trees left on farms are normally selected based on several factors including; 1. Tree characteristics and habit. 2. Tree canopy architecture, structure, texture, extent, etc in combination with crops.

3. Ecological, biological & engineering functions. 4. Traditional uses; subsistence & commercial. 5. The value of the tree parts. e. g. , medicines, health, food, housing, fuelwood, religious, etc. 6. Hence, local names of plants and tree species are derived from functions, attributes, uses and other special characteristics.

1. Tree characteristics and habit. • Pioneer species are most preferred on farmlands. e. g. Milicia excelsa, Terminalia ivorensis, T. superba, Triplochiton scleroxylon. • These trees have positive effect on soil fertility, soil-nutrient cycling and exhibit favourable interactions with crops.

2. Tree canopy architecture, structure, texture, extent, etc in combination with crops. e. g. Newbouldia laevis, Spathodea campanulata, Khaya senegalenses, etc. • These species have narrower crowns or light canopies that allow sun rays to penetrate to reach the companion crops below for healthy growth.

3. Ecological, biological & engineering functions. • Most leguminous tree species fix nitrogen and are efficient in nutrient cycling e. g. Albizia zygia. • For example, Cola nitida, citrus, avocado trees serve as insect host to control diseases. They are host to red ants that attack or feed on the virus that causes black pod disease in cocoa fruits thereby reducing the incidence of the disease.

• Some tree species have been observed to maintain cool and moist environment during the dry season e. g. Ceiba pentandra and Spathodea campanulata. • The soil environments close to the trees have been observed to be reasonably moist even during the peak of the dry season. • The associated crops especially vegetables have been noted to do well under the trees.

4. Traditional, cultural and religious uses • Tree species used for traditional music industry like the talking drums e. g. Cordia millenii (Tweneboa). • Before the introduction of cotton and other fabrics, the bark of Antiaris toxicaria (Kyenkyen) was used as clothing material. • Tree species were and are still used as dyes (especially black and red colours) in the traditional garment industry e. g. Lannea welwitschii (Kumnini).

• For every village in Akan, souls of the township members were preserved in clay pots mounted on Alstonia boonei (Nyame dua) posts and placed in the heart of the village for occasional sacrifices by the spiritual head. • It is believed that where Okoubaka aubrevillei (Odii) tree species grows, dwarfs are associated with the area. • O. aubrevillei fruit is believed that when kept under the bed drives away bad spirits e. g. Witches, ghosts, etc. From the room.

5. The value of the tree parts a) Medicines • The bark of Alstonia boonei (Nyame dua. God’s tree) is used to cure measles in children. • Newbouldia laevis (sesemasa) is used in soup by lactating mothers to produce breast milk for babies. • Mango leaves when macerated and dissolved in water is given to drunkards so as to reduce dizziness, etc.

b) Housing • Traditionally, roofing material (shingles) were made from Pycnanthus angolensis and used. • Bamboos were split and used as roofing material. • Hunters took shelter in very high and big buttresses e. g. Piptadeniastrum africanum local name is Odan (meaning house).

c) Food and health § The shea butter and Allanblackia parviflora tree species are very good sources of oils for cooking. § Leaves of Adansonia digitata is used for stew. § Roots of Musanga cecropioides and Ceiba pentandra were cut and the sap was drank when there was water shortage.

• Cola nitida seeds (cola biscuits) eaten by adults to reduce hunger when food is not enough for all family member in poor families. • The chewstick, Garcinia cola (Tweapea) is used to clean teeth. It is noted for its chemical properties to protect tooth decay and remove bad mouth odour. • Lacosperma secundiflora (Ayemtudua) is known to reduce constipation when administered.

d) Fuelwood • Celtis species are treasured as highest quality firewood species in Ghana. • Anogeisus leiocarpus is a good quality wood species for charcoal production. These tree species are probably dense, have higher energy (calorific value) woods that have been identified. • Conversely, Ceiba species are rejected for firewood. This may be due to its higher moisture content, very light when dried and fibrous in texture.

6. Naming or identification of plant species • There are several characteristics, goods and services derived from tree species that offer clues to their identification and give rise to names of tee species. a) Has menthol taste (Zanthoxylon leprieurii , hence its name Oyaa (meaning pepper). b) Sweet taste when used as chewstick e. g. Craterispermum caudatum and therefore called ‘Duade’ meaning ‘sweet wood’.

c) Has peppery taste e. g. Isolona campanulata and therefore called ‘Duawisa’. d) Milletia zechiana, a climber was used to tie up game from the bush by hunters to carry the booty home. It has therefore been known and called (sahoma) meaning ‘rope for hunters’.

q. The nomenclature of tree species from know characteristics • Habitat - Mitragyna (Subaha) meaning ‘where water is’. It grows in marshy area. • The scent - e. g. Cedrella odorata (Dua gene) ‘smells like onion’. • Its history of discovery e. g. Canthium glabliflorum (wudifuo kete) ‘murderer’s mat’. • Tricalysia discolor (Kwaebrofere) meaning ‘forest pawpaw’.

Conclusion Ø Tree species have characteristics on which nomenclatures in the local language are used for identifications and uses of the plant and its parts. Ø The information on their renaissance must be documented. Ø Local names in different languages may have similar meanings and may be useful for tree species identification, uses and forest management.

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