Publications

Kenya's forests contribute significantly to the national economy, and provide indirect benefits to the country as water catchments. Forests also conserve water and soil, act as carbon sink and serve as reservoirs for biological diversity. For these reasons, Kenya's forests should be protected to ensure the survival of Kenyans and that of their future generations.

Most of the bamboo resources in Kenya comprise one indigenous species, Yushania alpina, which was formerly known as Arundinaria alpina. This species, which is commonly known as alpine bamboo, occurs naturally on the main mountains and highland ranges of Kenya and Eastern Africa.

Borassus aethiopum is a non-timber tree which grows in the transitional and savanna zone of Ghana and the sub-region. Its superior strength properties and level of present utilization call for its promotion for several applications in construction.

This paper discusses the tree and its distribution, its strength and woodworking characteristics as well as the present areas of utilization and problems encountered in its use due to its extreme hardness. It also puts up a case for further research and promotion of the Borassus aethiopum wood.
 

A description of each of the nine species Acacia polyacantha, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Croton macrostachyus, Pinus patula, Maesopsis eminii, Casuarina equisetifolia, Azadirachta indica, Tectona grandis,Zanthoxylum gillettii is indicated.  The information about the species include family name, local name, trade name, description, uses, distribution, flowering and fruit development, seed collection method, seed extraction and drying, seed storage and others.