Agroforestree Database

Local names:
 English (black olive), French (bois margot,bois gris-gris), Spanish (ucar,oxhorn bucida,Júcaro,gregre)

Bucida buceras is an erect tree, 8-27 m tall, with tiered and often thorny branches, initially horizontal, later drooping in habit. Wild trees are usually variable in form.

Flowers small, borne in spikes, greenish-white; may be staminate or perfect.

Fruit a one-seeded drupe.

An unidentified mite is responsible for the horn-shaped gal that inspired the Latin name Bucida bucerus, meaning ox-horn.

Ecology

B. buceras is usually found along intermittent streams in dry foothills, coastal areas, at the margins and on hummocks of Pterocarpus officinalis and mangrove swamps. It is salt-tolerant and grows well in coastal swamps, wet inland woods and on riverbanks; it tolerates dry limestone areas. It is a component of the climax community of dry forest and grows as a sub climax tree in excessively drained areas of the moist forest. In the thorn forests of southern Mexico, it is associated with Eugenia lundellii, Coccoloba cozumelensis and Croton reflexifolius. The tree tolerates air pollution and salt spray, and grows well in various soils, including fill dirt.

Native range
Bahamas, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico

Tree management

Spacing of 3 m x 3 m is recommended where the crown closes in 10-20 years. Thinning is necessary otherwise the larger trees suppress smaller ones. Ultimate spacing of 12-15 m between trees is desirable for timber production. The main branches bend down, making the tree top-heavy and there is a need for regular pruning to retain a compact habit and protect trees from storm damage. The tree coppices until it reaches saw log size (30 cm dbh). The tree is resistant to hurricane damage, a light demander and should be protected from fire. B. buceras should not be used for shade where cars will be parked regularly because the tree exudes a dark, sticky substance.

There are about 38 000 seeds/kg. Seeds are recalcitrant.

B. buceras is usually found along intermittent streams in dry foothills, coastal areas, at the margins and on hummocks of Pterocarpus officinalis and mangrove swamps. It is salt-tolerant and grows well in coastal swamps, wet inland woods and on riverbanks; it tolerates dry limestone areas. It is a component of the climax community of dry forest and grows as a sub climax tree in excessively drained areas of the moist forest. In the thorn forests of southern Mexico, it is associated with Eugenia lundellii, Coccoloba cozumelensis and Croton reflexifolius. The tree tolerates air pollution and salt spray, and grows well in various soils, including fill dirt.

Propagation from seeds is unpredictable because the seeds are prone to insect damage and the seedlings are difficult to transplant. Seed germination is slow and low (6%) and begins 12-17 days after sowing. B. buceras can also be raised using cuttings and air layering. Terminal softwood cuttings root under mist and air layering has given good results. B. buceras is prone to produce suckers at the base.

Erosion control:  B. buceras develops an extensive fibrous root system which holds the soil and prevents erosion.

Apiculture: B. buceras is listed as a honey tree.

It  is a good fuelwood and makes excellent charcoal.

Timber: B. buceras wood is heavy (750-930 kg/m³ when oven dried) and seasons fairly well. However it is difficult to work due to a high silica content. It has an attractive dark yellow-brown to greenish-brown colour with mottled grain and finishes well. It is used for high quality flooring, furniture, interior trim, railroad sleepers, bridge and ship timbers, decking, pilings, posts and pallets. It is resistant to the West Indian dry wood termite, Cryptotermes brevis and subterranean termites.

Shade or shelter:  The tree is popular for shade in urban areas; it is ideal for planting as a windbreak.

Tannin or dyestuff: Bark, galls and leaves are high in tannin that stains pavements, vehicles, white roofs and other surfaces.

Medicine: In Haiti, bark and leaf decoction is taken for fever.

Ornamental:  Its small, round leaves and semi pendulous branches make it appealing for landscaping.