Transcript Presentation

Traditional knowledge on tree characteristic and
use for Agroforestry in Ghana
By
E. Owusu-Sekyere
Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG)
Kumasi
Presentation Outline
1. Introduction.
2. Factors for trees on farms based on
traditional knowledge.
3. Some examples to buttress the potential
application of TFK.
4. Conclusions.
INTRODUCTION
• Traditional method of farming has been the
slash and burn and shifting cultivation.
• Some tree species are deliberately left on
farms to serve different functions.
• Importance of the tree-crop associations has
been known through long history of farming
systems and the knowledge handed over to
later generations.
• Farmers wealth of knowledge about tree-crop
associations are crucial for the development of
agroforestry systems.
• Trees left on farms are normally selected based
on several factors including;
1. Tree characteristics and habit.
2. Tree canopy architecture, structure, texture,
extent, etc in combination with crops.
3. Ecological, biological & engineering functions.
4. Traditional uses; subsistence & commercial.
5. The value of the tree parts. e.g., medicines,
health, food, housing, fuelwood, religious, etc.
6. Hence, local names of plants and tree species
are derived from functions, attributes, uses
and other special characteristics.
1. Tree characteristics and habit.
• Pioneer species are most preferred on
farmlands.
e.g. Milicia excelsa, Terminalia ivorensis, T.
superba, Triplochiton scleroxylon.
• These trees have positive effect on soil fertility,
soil-nutrient cycling and exhibit favourable
interactions with crops.
2. Tree canopy architecture, structure, texture,
extent, etc in combination with crops.
e.g. Newbouldia laevis, Spathodea campanulata,
Khaya senegalenses, etc.
• These species have narrower crowns or light
canopies that allow sun rays to penetrate to
reach the companion crops below for healthy
growth.
3. Ecological, biological & engineering functions.
• Most leguminous tree species fix nitrogen
and are efficient in nutrient cycling e.g.
Albizia zygia.
• For example, Cola nitida, citrus, avocado
trees serve as insect host to control diseases.
They are host to red ants that attack or feed
on the virus that causes black pod disease in
cocoa fruits thereby reducing the incidence of
the disease.
• Some tree species have been observed to
maintain cool and moist environment during
the dry season e.g. Ceiba pentandra and
Spathodea campanulata.
• The soil environments close to the trees have
been observed to be reasonably moist even
during the peak of the dry season.
• The associated crops especially vegetables
have been noted to do well under the trees.
4. Traditional, cultural and religious uses
• Tree species used for traditional music industry
like the talking drums e.g. Cordia millenii
(Tweneboa).
• Before the introduction of cotton and other
fabrics, the bark of Antiaris toxicaria
(Kyenkyen) was used as clothing material.
• Tree species were and are still used as dyes
(especially black and red colours) in the
traditional garment industry e.g. Lannea
welwitschii (Kumnini).
• For every village in Akan, souls of the township
members were preserved in clay pots mounted
on Alstonia boonei (Nyame dua) posts and
placed in the heart of the village for occasional
sacrifices by the spiritual head.
• It is believed that where Okoubaka aubrevillei
(Odii) tree species grows, dwarfs are
associated with the area.
• O. aubrevillei fruit is believed that when kept
under the bed drives away bad spirits e.g.
Witches, ghosts, etc. From the room.
5. The value of the tree parts
a) Medicines
• The bark of Alstonia boonei (Nyame duaGod’s tree) is used to cure measles in
children.
• Newbouldia laevis (sesemasa) is used in soup
by lactating mothers to produce breast milk
for babies.
• Mango leaves when macerated and dissolved
in water is given to drunkards so as to reduce
dizziness, etc.
b) Housing
• Traditionally, roofing material (shingles) were
made from Pycnanthus angolensis and used.
• Bamboos were split and used as roofing
material.
• Hunters took shelter in very high and big
buttresses e.g. Piptadeniastrum africanum
local name is Odan (meaning house).
c) Food and health
 The shea butter and Allanblackia parviflora
tree species are very good sources of oils for
cooking.
 Leaves of Adansonia digitata is used for stew.
 Roots of Musanga cecropioides and Ceiba
pentandra were cut and the sap was drank
when there was water shortage.
• Cola nitida seeds (cola biscuits) eaten by
adults to reduce hunger when food is not
enough for all family member in poor families.
• The chewstick, Garcinia cola (Tweapea) is
used to clean teeth. It is noted for its
chemical properties to protect tooth decay
and remove bad mouth odour.
• Lacosperma secundiflora (Ayemtudua) is
known to reduce constipation when
administered.
d) Fuelwood
• Celtis species are treasured as highest quality
firewood species in Ghana.
• Anogeisus leiocarpus is a good quality wood
species for charcoal production. These tree
species are probably dense, have higher
energy (calorific value) woods that have been
identified.
• Conversely, Ceiba species are rejected for
firewood. This may be due to its higher
moisture content, very light when dried and
fibrous in texture.
6. Naming or identification of plant species
• There are several characteristics, goods and
services derived from tree species that offer
clues to their identification and give rise to
names of tee species.
a) Has menthol taste (Zanthoxylon leprieurii ,
hence its name Oyaa (meaning pepper).
b) Sweet taste when used as chewstick e.g.
Craterispermum caudatum and therefore
called ‘Duade’ meaning ‘sweet wood’.
c) Has peppery taste e.g. Isolona campanulata
and therefore called ‘Duawisa’.
d) Milletia zechiana, a climber was used to tie
up game from the bush by hunters to carry
the booty home. It has therefore been
known and called (sahoma) meaning ‘rope
for hunters’.
The nomenclature of tree species from know
characteristics
• Habitat - Mitragyna (Subaha) meaning ‘where
water is’. It grows in marshy area.
• The scent - e.g. Cedrella odorata (Dua gene)
‘smells like onion’.
• Its history of discovery e.g. Canthium
glabliflorum (wudifuo kete) ‘murderer’s mat’.
• Tricalysia discolor (Kwaebrofere) meaning
‘forest pawpaw’.
Conclusion
Tree species have characteristics on which
nomenclatures in the local language are used
for identifications and uses of the plant and its
parts.
The information on their renaissance must be
documented.
Local names in different languages may have
similar meanings and may be useful for tree
species identification, uses and forest
management.