Leuceana Trichandra

Leucaena trichandra: A Versatile Tree for Agroforestry and Beyond

Leucaena trichandra is an adaptable and highly variable plant, ranging from a small shrub of 2 meters to a medium-sized tree reaching up to 20 meters in height. It has a slender form, often with a clear bole up to 3 meters and a light, feathery, spreading crown. The bark is grey-brown to blackish-brown, with rusty orange-brown vertical fissures.

The tree’s leaves are highly detailed, with 11-20 pairs of pinnae and numerous small leaflets. The flower heads contain 70-130 flowers each, with colors varying from white to shades of pink and violet. The pods are linear-oblong, papery, and glossy, turning from yellow-green to deep reddish-brown when ripe. The seeds are small and aligned transversely within the pods.

Ecology:

L. trichandra thrives in various environments, primarily as an understorey or lower canopy tree in pine and oak forests at mid-elevations. It can also be found in dry deciduous forests, mattoral, and secondary forests. The species is tolerant of a wide range of soils, from shallow calcareous over limestone to more acidic soils but does not tolerate frost.

Tree Management:

The tree resprouts readily, even from large stumps after cutting, and is amenable to regular lopping. Direct seeding is the most common propagation method, but seeds require pretreatment for optimal germination. The wood is valued for firewood and construction, particularly for poles and corner posts. It is also used as a shade tree, particularly for coffee, and plays a role in traditional indigenous agroforestry systems. Additionally, L. trichandra is nitrogen-fixing, improving soil quality, and its lopped leaves and twigs can be used as green manure.

Uses:

The unripe pods, seeds, and flower buds are edible, and mature seeds are occasionally marketed. The tree’s fodder quality varies with seed source, and its wood density also varies, with superior sources offering durable heartwood. It is commonly found scattered in fields and fencelines, adding value to various agricultural and agroforestry systems.

Native Range:

L. trichandra is native to regions including Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

This versatile tree offers numerous benefits, from improving soil fertility to providing valuable timber and shade. Whether you’re looking to enhance your agroforestry system or seeking a reliable source of firewood and construction materials, Leucaena trichandra is an excellent choice.