The African cherry (Prunus africana) is in high demand from international markets, in particular because of its use as a remedy for prostate disorders. But wild populations of the species are threatened from overharvesting and forest clearing.

An article on the Center for International Forestry Research’s (CIFOR) Forests News blog outlines how Prunus africana occurs only in high conservation value montane forests in Africa and Madagascar.

Traditionally the bark of the tree has been harvested from natural forests, but concerns about overharvesting resulted in restrictions being placed on its importation. While these restrictions have now been replaced by quotas for producing regions, questions still remain over the sustainability of the practice.

Many scientists believe the report that led to the lifting of this ban overestimated the potential for bark supplies from cultivated sources. Death rates from commercially harvested trees in wild populations larger than 10cm in diameter at breast height can be 50 to 100 times higher than the natural mortality rate.

Most other bark-producing trees in international trade are cultivated either in plantations or agroforestry systems, but success rates for the cultivation of Prunus africana are low due to high levels of mortality rates and slow maturing.

Research is being undertaken to determine how policy recommendations for sustainable harvesting relate to what is actually taking place on the ground. Future efforts need to focus not only on the impacts on the species but also on the livelihoods of those involved.

Read the full story: Prostates, Prunus and policy: A remarkable tree, a contested study, and tough choices ahead

See also: Franzel, S.;Ayuk, E.;Cunningham, A.B.;Asanga, C.;Duguma, B. (2009). Bark for sale: the adoption potential of Prunus africana as an agroforestry tree for small-scale farmers in Cameroon. In: Cunningham, A. B. et al. Bark: use, management and commerce in Africa. Advances in Economic Botany 17: 408-417