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Agroforestree database

This database provides detailed information on a total of 670 agroforestry tree species. It is intended to help field workers and researchers in selecting appropriate species for agroforestry systems and technologies.

For each species, the database includes information on identity, ecology and distribution, propagation and management, functional uses, pests and diseases and a bibliography.

This project has been funded by the British Department for International Development (DFID, the European Union and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

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Acacia aneuraWood is used for fence posts in Australia.
Acacia catechuThe spiny branches serve as brushwood fence for the fields.
Acacia cincinnataTrees are suitable as supports for passion fruit and yams.
Acacia elatiorThe tree provides suitable fencing for livestock enclosures; used by the Maasai of Kenya.
Acacia laetaWood of A. laeta is used to make fence posts. The tree can tolerate repeated browsing giving it a good potential as a hedging tree.
Acacia lahaiDry timber used as fence posts.
Acacia nilotica subsp niloticaThis subspecies makes an ideal windbreak surrounding fields; its narrow crown shades less than other windbreak species.
Acacia pennatulaCommonly used as fence posts
Acacia senegalCut branches are useful for fencing in cattle because of their spines.
Acacia seyalIn many areas, farmers cut branches of A. seyal to make fences. The thorny branches are good for this purpose and last about 2 years.
Acacia sieberianaThe branches make good fences.
Acacia tortilisBoundary, barrier or support: The thorny branches are suitable material for erecting barriers.
Acacia xanthophloeaTrees are planted as live fences.
Afzelia africanaIn Guinea it is increasingly being planted privately by villagers for land demarcation and as a timber tree.
Agathis macrophyllaBoundary or barrier: Tropical cyclones occur at periodic intervals in all parts of its range. Pacific kauri has an ability to withstand strong winds thereby acting as a wind break or barrier. In certain situations it is suited as boundary marker, due to
Ailanthus excelsaThe trees serve as shelterbelts along borders of fields.
Albizia anthelminticaPoles and posts from A. anthelmintica are used for fencing.
Albizia gummiferaThe tree’s branches can be used for fencing.
Albizia proceraThe branches (twigs) are used by tea planters as stakes for laying out tea gardens. These are found to split well. The species is popular along field borders.
Albizia zygiaThough termite vulnerable, the wood can be used for temporary structures or fencing.
Alnus cordata: An excellent windbreak or hedge for maritime areas, it grows quite quickly and establishes well even in very windy sites. This is an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands on disused farmland, difficult s
Alnus japonicaIt is planted as living posts supporting wires for chayote (Sechium edule), a fruit vegetable in the Philippines.
Alphitonia zizyphoidesBoundary or barrier: The species is known to be used for living fences. It has good resistance to cyclones and would be well suited for inclusion as an upper-mid-level layer of mixed-species windbreaks of wide dimensions (e.g., greater than 50 m across
Anogeissus latifoliaWood used for erecting fences on field bunds.
Argania spinosaArgan brushwood is used for fencing and windbreaks.
Artocarpus altilisIn the Pacific, yam vines are often grown with the tree, using its branches and canopy for support.
Artocarpus heterophyllusThe trunk is occasionally used as living support for pepper.
Asimina trilobait can be planted as a shrub border or woodland margin, and is effective around damp areas and along ponds or streams.
Balanites aegyptiacaAs a thorny tree, B. aegyptiaca is useful for fencing. Boundary and amenity plantings are widespread in Africa. Cut branches are used to make livestock enclosures.
Barringtonia proceraCutnut tree can be used as support for fencing. In its native areas, cutnut indicates human settlements and provides proof of land ownership, and therefore can serve as a good boundary marker. The tree is a good medium-he
Bauhinia rufescensB. rufescens provides a good, impenetrable, browse-resistant live fence; useful for protecting gardens, fields and compounds.
Bauhinia tomentosaB. tomentosa can be effectively used as a hedge or a screen plant between camps, along fences or between blocks of various crops, for example, in tomato lands.
Bombacopsis quinataIn Costa Rica and Nicaragua the establishment of living fencerows from vegetative propagated stakes is common practice, with spacings ranging from 2-5 m.
Bombax costatumBeing a fire resistant species the tree can serve well as a boundary mark.
Boscia senegalensisIn some areas of the Sudan, the tree is being cut increasingly for dead hedging. It is however unsuitable for this purpose and live hedging using other species should be encouraged.
Brachylaena huillensisDue to its durability, B. huillensis is used as fence posts, for example in northern Tanzanian along the border with Kenya, where it is overexploited.
Bursera simarubaUsed as living fence to delimit pastures, with stakes 1-3 m long and 10-15 cm thick, and spaced 3 m apart or more.
Cadaba farinosaCan be used in constructing temporary fences for livestock.
Caesalpinia sappanThe tree is planted as a hedge and boundary marker in villages.
Caesalpinia spinosaC. spinosa is sometimes grown as a live fence in Peru.
Cajanus cajanIn Southeast Asia, C. cajan is grown as a support for vanilla.
Calliandra calothyrsusSuitable for hedgerow boundaries.
Canarium indicumIts remarkable resistance to strong winds makes it a good living windbreak for other crops such as bananas and papayas.
Capparis deciduaAs it is drought resistant and withstands neglect, this species could be particularly useful in arid areas as a live hedge providing edible fruits.
Capparis tomentosaTrees are grown as a live fence.
Carissa congestaThe plant has dense branches and sharp spreading thorns, and is suitable for fences.
Carissa edulisThe abundant branching habit and the presence of spines make the plant suitable for planting as a protective hedge.
Cassia grandisBoundery or barrier or support: C. grandis can be planted as a live fence.
Castanospermum australeWood used as fencing material.
Casuarina equisetifoliaIt is remarkably suited for boundary planting as it does not intercept much of the incoming solar radiation and yields substantial quantities of green leaf manure on lopping besides other products.
Casuarina junghuhnianaIn Kenya, farmers plant the tree around fields as a live fence.
Casuarina oligodonOne of the other main uses of C. oligodon is as wind breaks and in its natural range, can be seen in most villages where it is planted around the whole village protecting it from strong winds.
Ceiba pentandraIn Java, the tree is grown as a boundary tree and fences along roadsides.
Celtis australisTrees are planted around cultivated fields.
Chamaecytisus palmensisTagasaste forms dense hedges if planted closely.
Combretum collinumBranches can be cut and used to construct fences.
Commiphora africanaC. africana is particularly suitable for planting for live fences and hedges.
Commiphora wightiiHedges of guggul are preferred by farmers.
Cordia dichotomaC. dichotoma is a quick-growing fruit tree, performing well under semi-arid conditions and suitable for planting along boundary and farm roads.
Croton megalocarpusAs the species is not browsed by livestock, it is often used as a live hedge.
Croton sylvaticusPoles used in fence construction.
Cryptomeria japonicaThe tree is used as a windbreak, it makes a good accent, screen, or border tree for small properties due to its compact, dwarf habit.
Cupressus lusitanicaIt is grown as a live fence.
Dactyladenia barteriStems provide good quality poles for staking yams and for construction.
Delonix elataPoles from D. elata are used for fencing.
Delonix regiaD. regia can be planted as live fence posts.
Dichrostachys cinereaThorn branch enclosures prevent livestock from straying at night and protect vegetable gardens, cash crops and fodder- or thatch-grass reserves from livestock. Since it is difficult to control, having an aggressive weedy c
Diospyros kakiTrees can be planted as a hedge or as a screen if pruned heavily.
Dodonaea angustifoliaD. angustifolia is a good hedge plant for dry areas, useful in sand or marshy soils. The poles are useful in fencing.
Dovyalis caffraTrees can be spaced close together to form an impenetrable hedge around homesteads, gardens and croplands to keep out unwanted animals.
Eriobotrya japonicaIn the Kilimanjaro region of East Africa, the tree is commonly grown on the borders of home compounds.
Erythrina abyssinicaE. abyssinica has the useful characteristic of sprouting from truncheons if cut just before flowering, and so can be used to make a live fence.
Erythrina berteroanaIt is planted as live posts, fence and live supports for yams (Dioscorea alata) and chayote (Sechium edule).
Erythrina caffraThe trees are used to make live fences around homes, water sources and crops to protect them from livestock.
Erythrina edulisLive fence posts are established from stakes as support for vine crops.
Erythrina fuscaIn Costa Rica, E. fusca is occasionally used in live fences although much less commonly than E. berteroana and other Erythrina species. The tree is also used as a support for black pepper vines.
Erythrina indicaIn India, it is planted as a live hedge around cultivated gardens. When the cuttings are stuck on the ground, they root quickly to give live hedges. It has been used India as support for pepper and grape vines, by virtue of
Erythrina sandwicensisIt has been frequently planted as a live fence on account of readiness with which it takes root when planted in the ground.
Erythrina variegataIn India, Malaysia and Indonesia E. variegata is used as live support for betel (Piper betle L.), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), vanilla (Vanilla planifolia H.C. Andrews) and yam (Dioscorea spp.) vines. A columnar cultiv
Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulusIn its juvenile form, E. globulus ssp. globulus is seldom browsed by cattle, sheep or goats, which gives it an advantage over most other species where fencing is not practicable.
Euphorbia tirucalliE. tirucalli is an extensively used hedge plant in rural areas of East Africa.
Fagraea racemosaF. racemosa is planted as a live fence.
Faidherbia albidaBranches lopped for fencing compounds and livestock enclosures.
Faurea salignaTrees can be planted as windbreaks.
Feijoa sellowianaWhen planted close together, the shrubs make a nice hedge, screen, or windbreak.
Feronia limoniaThe tree is cultivated along field boundaries.
Flacourtia indicaWhen closely planted, it forms a close impenetrable barrier that serves as a hedge; it tolerates frequent trimming.
Flemingia macrophyllaGrown in hedges; promising when used as a live fence. In Malaysia, it is a useful bush to plant with creeping legumes, as it provides support for them to climb on and is deep rooting.
Fraxinus excelsiorThe European ash is commonly used for fence construction.
Garcinia gummi-guttaIdeally suited for boundary planting on the farm field
Genipa americanaIn Trinidad, the tree is occasionally planted as a live-hedge in grazing areas.
Gliricidia sepiumSuitable for live fencing around cattle pastures and for delineating boundaries. Its fast growth, ease of propagation, nitrogen fixing ability and light canopy makes it ideal as a live stakes. It has been used to support bl
Grewia optivaThe tree is often planted in hedges and field boundaries.
Grewia tenaxThe shrub can be used for hedging.
Haematoxylum campechianumIn India and South-East Asia, logwood is occasionally cultivated as hedge plant.
Hippophae rhamnoidesIt is used successfully as a windbreak and to stabilize sand dunes, and several of its products have high value.
Intsia bijugaU’ula is such a reputed fence post provider that it was recommended in the early 1970’s by the Livestock Department, Solomon Islands for a fencing programme.
Jatropha curcasWidely cultivated in the tropics as a living fence in fields and settlements. J. curcas is not browsed by cattle; it can grow without protection and can be used as a hedge to protect fields.
Juniperus proceraJ. procera can be planted on boundaries and as a windbreak.
Lagerstroemia speciosaThe tree is used as a support for rattan.
Lansium domesticumIn the Philippines they are frequently planted around the edges of coconut plantations.
Leucaena collinsiiTrees of ssp. collinsii are planted at field boundaries and around houses as a living fence.
Leucaena esculentaThe tree is planted at field boundaries or as living fences.
Leucaena leucocephalaUsed as a live fence, firebreak and live support for vines such as pepper, coffee and cocoa, vanilla, yam and passion fruit.
Leucaena pallidaL. pallida is largely cultivated on terrace margins or field boundaries.
Leucaena trichandraThe tree is commonly found scattered in fields and fencelines.
Macaranga kilimandscharicaDry wood from macaranga have been used for fencing.
Madhuca latifoliaIt is planted along the boundaries of fields.
Malpighia glabraThe plants are suitable for hedges.
Mammea americanaTrees are usually planted along boundaries and fences.
Manihot glazioviiIn some areas the species is used as a hedge especially in areas of low rainfall.
Markhamia luteaM. lutea poles can be used as props to support banana trees.
Millettia duraThe termite resistant poles are good for fencing.
Mimosa scabrellaThe attractive flowers make it a pleasant live fence. Stakes are used as fence posts and in tomato production.
Moringa oleiferaPlanted as a hedge in courtyards, M. oleifera provides wind protection, shade and support for climbing garden plants. Widely used for live fences and hedges in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, India, and elsewhere. Stakes root eas
Moringa stenopetalaIt serves as a live fence in areas of its natural range.
Morus nigraWhen spaced correctly, the species can be planted as a live fence.
Musanga cecropioidesThe soft wood of M. cecropiodes is occasionally used as palings on farms.
Newtonia buchananiiPoles are used for fencing.
Nuxia congestaN. congesta wood makes excellent, durable fence posts.
Ocimum gratissimumO. gratissimum is also cultivated as a hedge plant.
Olneya tesotaThe desert ironwood is also used as a screen plant.
Opuntia ficus-indicaThe thorny varieties of O. ficus-indica such as forma amyclaea and forma elongata are often used as defensive hedges for the protection of gardens, orchards and olive groves through out North America and in parts of Italy
Osyris compressaBoundary or barrier: Cape sumach is recommended as a seaside subject and plants form very effective small windbreaks provided there are enough host plants.
Parkinsonia aculeataIts browse resistance and stout thorns make it valuable as a live fence for protecting arable fields in arid and semi-arid areas.
Peltophorum pterocarpumThe tree can be used as a hedge.
Pentaclethra macrolobaIt is used as a live firebreak in the lower Congo
Phoenix dactyliferaDried leaves with their stiff, woody rachis are used for fencing.
Piliostigma malabaricumUsed as a hedge plant in the Philippines.
Piliostigma thonningiiP. thonningii live stakes are used in supporting vines and other weaker plants in farms. Poles or posts are obtained from the plant.
Pithecellobium dulceWith regular trimming, P. dulce makes a dense, almost impenetrable thorny hedge that keeps out livestock and forms useful shelter belts; for hedges, seeds may be sown in 2 rows of 15 x 30 cm.
Platycladus orientalisIt tolerates pruning and is therefore used as a hedge plant.
Populus deltoidesTrees planted in and around the edges of fields are regularly ploughed and planted with agricultural crops and hence develop vigorous roots, attain great height and diameter, and produce a high quantity of timber.
Populus euphraticaA single line of P. euphratica plants along field boundaries, roads, around orchards and in parks improves the landscape and additionally serves as a windbreak, benefiting the fruits and agricultural crops.
Prosopis chilensisP. chilensis could possibly be used to an advantage as barrier plant to form stock-proof hedgerow. If selectively coppiced on a cutting rotation of five years, such hedgerows would, by way of bonus, also provide a perennia
Prosopis glandulosaP. glandulosa is also used for fencing.
Psidium guajavaP. guajava has been used to stake yams (Dioscorea spp.); the small tree is cut back and used to support them. Yield increases of 33-85% have been recorded in Nigeria.
Pterocarpus erinaceusThe African gum tree has a potential for use as live fencing.
Pterocarpus santalinoidesPoles from A. santalinoides are used for fencing.
Punica granatumThe tree is sometimes used for fencing.
Rauvolfia vomitoriaIt is suitable for live fences. The pliable branches are used to support bird traps.
Rhamnus prinoidesR. prinoides can be used effectively as a hedge or screen plant in the garden.
Rhus natalensisWood from R. natalensis is used in making fence poles.
Robinia pseudoacaciaA dense growth habit makes R. pseudoacacia suitable for windbreaks. It is grown in the Appalachians particularly for fence posts.
Saba comorensisCan serve as a live fence.
Salvadora oleoidesA dense, almost impenetrable growth is formed by a parent stem surrounded by a ring of root suckers, which can be used as a barrier.
Sandoricum koetjapePoles from the tree are used for fencing.
Santalum albumTrees can be planted along hedges and field boundaries.
Santalum ellipticumBoundary or barrier: Sandalwoods are suitable for inclusion in windbreaks, especially where the main windbreak species include good hosts, e.g., Casuarina spp
Sarcocephalus latifoliusThe tree is used as a live stake in farms.
Schinus molleIt is sometimes planted as a live fence.
Schinus terebinthifoliusBoundary or barrier: The tree is also used in hedges.
Schinziophyton rautaneniiTruncheon-cuttings used for fencing around homes in southern Angola. In some places the tree is highly held culturally and venerable.
Sclerocarya birrea ssp. caffraCuttings and truncheons strike readily and S. birrea ssp. caffra can be used to make a live fence.
Senna atomariaHas potential use in provision of fencing posts and a boundary tree.
Senna siameaIt is pruned into hedgerows and used as a live fence around food crops.
Senna spectabilisIn Uganda, it is widely cultivated as a boundary marker.
Sesbania grandifloraS. grandiflora can be used as a living fence or a live support for crops such as vanilla and pepper.
Sesbania sesbanSuitable for use as live trellises for pepper.
Shorea negrosensisS. negrosensis provides wood used in making fencing material.
Spathodea campanulataThe species, either planted or growing naturally, is frequently used for living fence posts.
Spondias mombinTrees can be planted close together to make live fences.
Strychnos cocculoidesS. cocculoides is planted along boundaries and near home compounds.
Strychnos henningsiiS. henningsii is used as a live fence and its poles are good for fencing.
Styrax tonkinensisIt is planted to provide green fire breaks in Guinea in West Africa
Syzygium cordatumS. cordatum makes an effective screen plant in a shrubbery.
Syzygium cuminiiTrees planted close together and topped regularly form a dense hedge.
Syzygium jambosIn Guatemala, the tree may be planted as a living fence post or in hedgerows around coffee plantations. For this purpose, it is drastically pruned to promote dense growth.
Tamarindus indicaT. indica could be inserted into a live fence.
Tarchonanthus camphoratusThe wood is used in fencing.
Taxus baccataYew is a very useful tree for hedging and topiary as it can be closely trimmed. It tends to become a very large bush without trimming. It is used as a windbreak.
Teclea nobilisPoles obtained from the tree are used for fencing and construction.
Tecoma stansTrees can be planted as a live hedge.
Tecomaria capensisThe cape honeysuckle is a wonderful fencing plant with good regrowth ability after pruning and normally dense and colourful foliage over a long time.
Tephrosia candidaSuitable for making hedges along contours, around fields and homegardens, as it is not eaten by domestic animals such as buffaloes and goats. It is commonly used for hedgerows, providing mulch for different upland crops.
Tephrosia vogeliiBecause of its dense growth, it is suitable as a hedge plant.
Thespesia populneaIn mangrove areas, T. populnea is often planted to consolidate ridges and bunds in an aquasilvicultural system for prawn production.
Tithonia diversifoliaTithonia is used for live fencing and boundary demarcation.
Uapaca kirkianaThe tree is a suitable boundary species.
Vernonia amygdalinaThe termite-resistant branches are useful as stakes for lining out plantations and as a live fence.
Vitex donianaGrown in fields and along boundaries.
Vitex negundoIt is used as a live fence.
Vitex trifoliaV. trifolia is often used as a hedge plant, altough it may trigger various allergic reactions (sneezing, respiratory problems, dizziness, headache, nausea) to people trimming or pruning such hedges.
Warburgia salutarisIt can be grown either as single trees around boundaries or to make an attractive dense hedge.
Ximenia americanaSuited to cultivation as a hedge plant.
Ziziphus abyssinicaThe spiny branches make this plant useful as a protective live fence.
Ziziphus mauritianaTree useful as a living fence; its spiny stems and branches deter livestock.
Ziziphus mucronataA useful species to plant as a hedge around camps. It forms an impenetrable hedge for at least 10 years before the crown is too high off the ground to act as a barrier.
Zizyphus nummulariaIn India, it is commonly erected as ‘brush-wood barriers’ (micro-windbreaks) together with Crotalaria burhia.
Zizyphus spina-christiThe thorny branches are used for fencing. It can also be grown to form a stock-proof living fence.