DESCRIPTION: It is a small to moderate-sized, much-branched deciduous tree with smooth, dark green, scaly bark. It resembles the acacias but lacks thorns. Its root system is shallow and spreading. USE: The leaves are used as tea and also make excellent fodder. The wood is used for furniture making, agricultural implements and construction and as fuelwood and charcoal. Tannin can be obtained from the bark. The seeds are said to be poisonous. Gum and fruits have medicinal properties. Its spreading root system makes it a good soil binder, deterring soil erosion. It is used as shade tree for tea and coffee plantations and for re-vegetation of degraded hilly areas in dry and semi-arid tracts. Planted as an ornamental and street tree. Mentioned as a agroforestry species and in India, Indonesia and other countries, it is usually incorporated into smallholding, rainfed agriculture and diversified with maize, cassava and fruit trees such as papaya, mango and orange. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: arad (Arabic), bitter albizia (English). FURTHER INF: The tree demands strong sunlight and is intolerant of shade, very hardy and shows marked resistance to drought. It has a wide distribution in Africa, occurring from Sudan and Ethiopia southwards to Zimbabwe, Botswana and the Transvaal, growing mainly in sandy woodlands. In India, it is one of the characteristic trees of the dry regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The scrub forests in which it is usually found often have thorny species, particularly acacias. It thrives in light soils but tolerates clays and is often found near streams, where it can reach more water.
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