XENOLITH

Educating the children on tree planting and preservation:The ideal time to plant a tree is during the rainy season, in the tropics and subtropics, or the dormant season, in temperate zones, after leaf drop or before bud break. Trees that have been well cared for in a nursery can be planted throughout the growing season. Proper handling during planting is essential to ensure healthy growth. Proper site preparation before and during planting, coupled with good follow-up care, allows the seedlings to quickly establish roots in the new location and overcome what is known as transplant shock, a phenomenon that can slow the growth and reduce the vigour of the tree. Seeds can be sown in seed beds or seedling containers (preferably biodegradable) prepared with a mixture of sand, compost and soil. The plants will need watering before and after germination. Reduce the frequency of watering as the seedlings grow. Shade the seedlings and gradually reduce the shade as they grow. If you decide to plant seeds, collect them from an area that enjoys similar climatic conditions to where the trees will be planted. Collect the seeds from a number of healthy mature trees.

Tree Planting Tips:

To Plant a tree, dig a hole at least twice the width of the root ball to allow the roots to spread out. Remove the tree from its container, carefully cut off broken roots, and slightly loosen the root ball.
Place the tree in the planting hole. Always lift the tree by the root ball and never by the trunk. Spread periphery roots outwards. Avoid planting the tree too deep. Make sure that the soil line of the young tree is higher than the surface of the surrounding hole.
Shovel some soil into the planting hole. Check the planting depth and adjust if needed. Confirm that the tree is straight. Fill the hole gently but firmly. Pat the soil around the base of the root ball.
It is not recommended to apply fertilizer at the time of planting. Water the seedling thoroughly with a slow stream of water to settle the soil. Do not stake the tree. The sooner the tree can stand alone, the sooner it will become strong.
Provide follow up care. Protect the tree from pests and diseases by removing plants nearby which are likely to affect it. Remove weeds as they will compete with tree roots for moisture and nutrients. Protect the tree from destruction by livestock.
If suitable, space trees well to avoid competition for air and soil nutrients, and to encourage the growth of branches. Watch out for drought conditions and provide water if needed, especially during the first few months. Watch out for yellowing of leaves. Always maintain good air circulation in the tree by pruning to avoid pests and other diseases

Species of tree and planting method
Acacia albida Ecology: Thorny tree, 30m tall, altitude 270-2700 m, rainfall 250-1200 mm.
Uses:
Food, fodder, apiculture, timber, medicine, shade & shelter, soil reclamation.
Propagation: Scarify seed or place seeds in boiled water and let the water cool; then
soak 24 hours. High failure rate for direct seeding.
Acacia angustissima Ecology: 2-7 m tall, altitude 0-2600 m, rainfall 895-2870mm, cold tolerant.
Uses:
Fodder, medicine, soil improvement and nitrogen fixation.
Propagation: Soak seed in
cold water for 12 hours. Do not sow too deeply.
Acacia mangium Ecology: Evergreen tree, 25-35m tall, altitude 0-800m, rainfall 1500- 3000mm. Does
not coppice well.
Uses: Food (germinating seeds), fodder, fiber, fuel, timber, erosion
control, shade, nitrogen fixation.
Propagation: Direct sow or nursery. Scarify seed or
place seeds in boiled water for 30 seconds and add cool water; then soak 24 hours.
Acacia nilotica Ecology: 25m tall, altitude 0-1340 m, rainfall 200- 1270 mm, cold & drought tolerant.
Uses: Food, fodder, fuel, fiber, apiculture, medicine, & soil reclamation.
Propagation:
Direct seeding common. Place seeds in boiled water & let water cool; then soak 24
hours. Bare root seedling not recommended due to high incidence of root injury.
Acacia senegal Ecology: 15m tall, altitude 100-1700m, rainfall 300-1200mm, cold tolerant.
Uses: Food
(seed), fodder, apiculture, fuel, fiber, timber, gum & resin, oil, erosion control, nitrogen
fixation, intercropping.
Propagation: No pretreatment required for fresh seeds. Soak
older seeds in water for 12-24 hours. Direct seeding successful. Cuttings also
successful. Needs good protection from weeds, fire, & grazing for first 2 years.
Albizzia lebbeck Ecology: Deciduous tree, 20-30m tall, altitude 0-1800m, rainfall 500-2500mm.
Coppices well. Poor fire tolerance.
Uses: Fodder, timber, medicine, shade (coffee),
apiculture, soil improver, & erosion control.
Propagation: Scarify seed AND place in
boiled water. Let water cool, then soak 24hrs. Bare root & direct seeding can be used.
Azadirachta indica Ecology: Evergreen tree 15m tall, altitude 0-1500 m, rainfall 400-1200 mm.
Uses:
Food (fruit), fodder (leaves), fuel, timber, tannin, shade, erosion control, and soil
improvement.
Propagation: Seeds do not store well & are best used fresh. No
pretreatment required for fresh seed.
Calliandra calothyrsus Ecology: Vigorous pioneer tree, 12m tall, altitude 250-1800 m, rainfall 700-4000 mm.
Uses: Fodder (leaves & pods), apiculture, fuel, fiber, erosion control, shade, nitrogen
fixing, soil improvement, intercropping.
Propagation: No pretreatment needed, but 24
hour cold water soak helpful. Seeds germinate between 4 and 21 days.
Cassia fistula Ecology: Deciduous tree, 10 m tall, altitude 0-1200 m, rainfall 480-2 720mm. Coppices
well. Uses: Apiculture, fuel, timber, tannin, and ornamental.
Propagation: Scarify
seed. Direct sowing can be successful.
Cassia siamea Ecology: Evergreen tree, 18m tall, altitude 0-1200 m, rainfall 400-2800mm.
Uses:
Fodder (TOXIC to non-ruminants e.g. pigs, poultry!), fuel, timber, medicine, erosion
control, shade, soil improver, intercropping, ornamental.
Propagation: No pretreatment
required. Direct seeding successful. Sow in FULL sunlight, shade reduces germination.
Cedrela odorata Ecology: Deciduous tree to 35m tall, altitude 1200 m, rainfall 1200-2400mm.
Uses:
timber, shade (coffee & cacao), fiber, fuel, apiculture, ornamental, & intercropping.
Propagation: Fresh seed germinates in 2-4 weeks with no pretreatment. Seed does not
store well. Can use directs seeding, cuttings, layering, or transplanting wild seedlings.
Gliricidia sepium General Ecology: 2-15m tall, altitude 0-1200 m, rainfall 600-3500mm.
Uses: Fodder,
fuel, erosion control, shade, nitrogen fixation, soil improvement.
Propagation: Cuttings
very common. No pretreatment for fresh seeds. For older seeds, place seeds in hot
water & let water cool; then soak 12 hours & plant immediately.
Grevillea robusta General Ecology: Drought tolerant tree, 18-30m tall, altitude 1,500 - 2,700m, rainfall
700-2000mm.
Uses: Apiculture, furniture, firewood, charcoal, construction, cattle
fodder, and shade for coffee and tea.
Propagation: No pretreatment required. Cuttings
from young trees successful.
Leucaena collinsii General Ecology: 10–15m tall, altitude100-900 m, rainfall 500-1000mm. Aggressive
seeder, could become invasive.
Uses: Food (pod), fodder, fuel, gum or resin, nitrogen
fixing, soil improvement, intercropping.
Propagation: Scarifying seed is best, or soak
in boiled water for 30 seconds and add cool water; then soak seed for 24-72 hours.
L. leucocephala General Ecology: Evergreen tree, 15-20m tall, altitude 800m, rainfall 600-
1000mm. Aggressive seeder, could become invasive.
Uses: Fodder, living fence,
windbreaks, wood, & alley cropping.
Propagation: Scarify seed, or soak in hot water
for 2 mins. Bare root and direct seeding is successful.
L. salvadorensis General Ecology: Thornless tree, 10-15m tall, altitude 200-1000 m, rainfall 800-2000
mm. Shy seed production, low risk of invasiveness.
Uses: Fodder, erosion control,
apiculture, fuel, timber, intercropping.
Propagation: No pretreatment required.
Transplanting natural seedlings more successful. Seeds store well.
Moringa oleifera General Ecology: 12m tall, altitude 0- 1000 m, rainfall 500mm. Exceptionally
nutritious, high in vitamin A, B,& C, and protein.
Uses: Food, medicine, firewood,
apiculture, oil.
Propagation: No pretreatment required. Cuttings easily rooted.
Prosopis juliflora General Ecology: Evergreen tree, 5-10 m tall, altitude 0-1500 m, rainfall 50-1200mm.
Uses: Food, fodder, apiculture, fuel, fiber, timber, erosion control, shade and shelter,
nitrogen fixation, intercropping and soil reclamation.
Propagation: Scarify seed.
Sesbania grandiflora General Ecology: Fast growing tree, 15m tall at maturity. Grows well in Vertisol at
altitude 800 – 1000m; temperature 22 -30ºC; rainfall 2000 – 4000mm.
Uses: Food,
fodder, fuel, shade, soil improver, nitrogen fixer, intercropping.
Propagation:
Seedlings or cutting. No seed pretreatment is required.
Sesbania sesban General Ecology: 7m tall, altitude 100-2300 m, rainfall 500-2000 mm. Rapid early
growth rate. Uses: Food, fodder, fuel, fiber, shade, soil improver, intercropping.
Propagation: Scarify seed.

Seed procurement and distribution Xenolith environmental education foundation shall through the assistance of Trees For The Future, an international organization make provisions for treated healthy seedling to all interested persons on request.Intrested person shall contact us via mail or phone for further information on seedling collection procedure.

Rewarding dedicated people with gift items XEEF shall reward dedication and commitment to its program by awarding deserving pupils and other individuals various prizes to encourage others.