Swamp acacia tree species now popular in Bomet

One species of the many acacia tree varieties is gaining popularity in Bomet County. Locals call it Chepnyalilyet which translates to the ‘green one’ while the English language refers to it as the Fever Tree. Scientifically, the tree is referred to as Acacia Xanthoploea Benth.

The fever tree gained this rather negative name because in days past, it grew in South Africa’s swamps and was mistakenly blamed for malaria outbreaks while it was the wet lands that were the real culprits.

A while back, the tree was considered a nuisance by farmers who would clear their lands to pave way for planting of ‘real, modern’ trees such as eucalyptus and cypress. This is, however, changing as the trees’ seedlings become the most sought after by residents of Bomet and parts of Narok County.

Duncan Korir, a seedlings farmer from Olbutyo, Bomet, confirms that the fever tree seedlings are in high demand. He says a seedling goes for Sh20 and since onset of the rainy season, he has sold more than 2,000.

As its local name aptly captures, the tree knows no dry spell - it is ever green and its branches grow into an attractive eye-catching form which makes it loved for its aesthetic value. Further, it grows very fast up to about 25metres and is a good source of firewood.

Philiph Chemorta, a carpenter, says the tree is a hardwood genre and timber from it is good but must be seasoned. A resident, Samwel Rono, says the tree has proven to be a viable source of income for him.

“Growing this tree is easy since it needs minimal care and watering and in under two years, it is ready for harvesting.

I have paid school fees for my children by supplying their school with firewood from this tree,” he says adding that it also has medicinal value.

Chepalungu sub-county Environment Officer Philiph Sanga vouches for growing of the tree.

“If people plant many of these trees, decimation of indigenous, slow growing trees for firewood will be greatly reduced. Further, soil fertility will be maintained since the roots of the fever tree, just like that of beans, are leguminous hence have a nutritive value on soils,” he says.