8. SOME AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN KENYA                   

8. 10 Trees in homesteads and around schools

Spatial arrangement

Tree growing in homesteads is a very common practice in most parts of Kenya. Spatial arrangements vary, but mostly the trees are scattered and of many different species. Trees are often intercropped with vegetables, and much effort is made to maintain soil fertility. Waste water and chicken manure are available and these factors make homesteads ideal places for trees.

Homesteads have other specific advantages for tree growing. They are near where people live and thus can easily be looked after. The harvest of products is accessible to all family members, e.g. fruits can be picked even by small children who otherwise do not go very far away from their houses. Proximity is also an advantage from the point of view of labour since even short periods between other work can be used to work in the homestead. The homestead is well suited for production of fruits and nuts, for example, and such valuable production should be given priority in the homestead. Shade and ornamental trees are also important. Trees which supply products of concern to women need to be easily accessible to them.

Figure 8.13 With care and protection a Terminalia catappa tree becomes a striking feature in a school compound

School compounds have a great potential for being improved as training grounds for the pupils. Trees of a wide variety of species can be planted so that pupils have a chance to learn about them. Propagation and management techniques can be demonstrated and practised, and the school and pupils can benefit from the tree products and services. Fruit trees can provide snack food for the children, and if several species are planted a more or less continuous supply of fruit can be obtained. The role of trees in improving the aesthetic quality and the microclimate of the school compound is also important.

Areas where the practice is relevant

All areas where settlements are reasonably permanent.

Establishment and spacing

Any tree-propagation method is possible; spacing and spatial arrangement will depend on species and intended uses. Citrus can be spaced at 6 m x 6 m in pure stands in lower zones, and large fruit trees like avocado and mango at 15 m x 15m. The recommended spacing for grafted mango in pure stands is 9 m x 9 m.

Figure 8.14 A homestead with a variety of trees in the garden

Trees of different heights can be grown together in multi-storey systems to make maximum use of the little space available. Trees with brittle branches or big root systems should not be planted too near houses. Schools with a continuous water supply can run school nurseries.

Management aspects

Management will also depend on the species chosen and their intended uses. Normally seedlings are well protected in the homestead, but chickens can cause a lot of damage if seedlings are not protected.

Benefits

All the products and services can be useful. Priority should be given to valuable production, which requires management, and where access is important. The risks include brittle branches or heavy fruits falling or trees blowing over and damaging houses or injuring people. Roots penetrating under a house may damage the foundations. Some species produce a lot of litter which may add to the work of keeping the homestead tidy. Bamboo and mango trees, for example, may attract snakes.

Examples of species

A complete list of suitable species would be too long to include here. Very tall species, e.g. eucalypts or Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, are not ideal, and neither are trees with brittle branches or aggressive roots, e.g. Ficus benjaminii and Jacaranda mimosifolia which have a reputation for damaging foundations and water and sewage systems.