Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior)
Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior ) Podocarpaceae
Indigenous
Vernacular names
Am: Zigba Gr: Zigba
Eng: Podo Or: Birbirsa
Ecology:
Podocarpus trees are mainly found in the southern hemisphere. These conifers, which have no cones, are related to junipers and are also known as yellow-woods. P. falcatus is a large tree of the semi-humid lower highland forest of the central and eastern Highlands in Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones, 1,600-2,500 m.
Uses: Firewood, poles, timber (furniture, boxes, plywood, panels), medicine (bark), ornamental, shade.
Description: An evergreen tree with a straight bole to 25 m or more. BARK: Grey to dark brown, cracking and scaling into irregular rectangles.
LEAVES: Narrow, shiny dark green, 2-5 cm, gradually tapering. Young leaves are larger and brighter, giving a green flush. CONES: 1-3 male catkins, yellow-brown, about 2 cm, female cones hard, rounded to 2 cm, very slow to develop, green with dull purple bloom, outer shell thin but inner flesh eaten by monkeys and birds.
Propagation: Seedlings, wildings.
Seed: No. of seed per kg: 2,100-2.600.
Treatment: Crack the hard woody seed coat
Before sowing.
Storage: Seed can be stored for up to 2 years.
Management: Slow growing.
Hardy once established.
Remarks: The species is now rare due to over-exploitation. The wood needs preservatives and careful seasoning to prevent warping (Azene Bekele-Tesemma 1993).
These pictures show native Podocarpus trees near the wild meadow with the farmhouse (39).
Some Podocarpus trees, found from a much previous era, appear admirably muscular and furrowed around the extensive farmhouse area (39) just below point (16), which are a great pleasure for any soul with a passion for Nature. Just here above is the farmhouse (39) with large Juniperus procera trees along its upper hillside. Furthermore, upwards the path turns slightly to the right towards the location (16), just at the high plateau's outer edge and even here with many incredible stately Juniper trees.
The relationship between the Indigenous trees and their unique appearance.
The Podocarpus tree seed and its stem are considerably longer than the corresponding comparison with the Juniper tree seed and hence higher and more vulnerable to climates and grazing animals. The fact that this tree is related to Juniper appears with clarity, and in this context, difficulties arise with the seed's vulnerability. An unprecedented exposure occurs because the two related species have the same peculiarity in lifting their seeds from the ground to the height of their crisp stalk. This vulnerability with an exposed uplifted grain applies, particularly to the Podocarpus tree. This species makes this seed presented with utmost sensibility and thus becomes an immediate victim on a hard and away offensive clay-soil crust.The Environmental Restoration With Native Trees
The Indigenous Podocarpus trees
The Indigenous Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior) (Am: Zigba) (Or: Birbirsa)
These endemic trees, scarce at Entoto, are struggling to survive in the toxic environment created by the eucalyptus. The barren, eroded lands, resulting from the eucalyptus' toxin-deformed effect, have interrupted the endemic Podocarpus tree's reproduction ability. A century ago, the international scientific community was unaware of the necessity of examining plants' and animals' environmental toxicity. With their dense network of roots, the original Ethiopian trees formed a reinforcing tangled indigenous vegetation with a pre-historical quality of tremendous strength, delivered from the past aeons' evolution. This urgent situation calls for immediate action and further scientific examination.
Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior)
The Environment and Biology -
Biodiversity
The Environment and Biology -
Biodiversity
Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior)
Nature Restoration
However, much work has been done to re-form an upper soil layer with a protective undergrowth. It would be a very significant surprise to receive information about a new generation of this highly blessed historic tree, which still grows in a magical, graceful and appealing landscape. Pinterest: Planting Saplings
The Location of Podocarpus falcatus Trees
Podocarpus Trees within a Wonderful Highland Landscape
To see several other indigenous Podocarpus trees requires looking just below this field (39 ) and to the right side in the lower part of Circle (B). The easiest way to reach these trees is to use the crossroad, just outside the lower part of the circle (B), where these trees just above appear to hide deeply from a forgotten past. This rather wild and wavy slope is fantastic with several native Podocarpus falcatus trees, which muscularly proudly pose, forgotten from aeons on this hilly southern slope. While this type of orientation assistance is compatible with visitors to foreign habits, other requirements are demanded to fulfil the tradition of the native population, who prefer to use their own orientation in The landscape of the revered past.
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Bees' Cliff 14 requires Caution in the Canyon but assists with the wide map loop surrounding the gentle and fascinating tributary 36 to the Canyon and 41-42. |
The Invitation to the trees from the past, Circle (B)
The still, gentle upward hike shown within Circle (B) includes points (35), (38), and (39) and constitutes both crossroads and, with them belonging, somewhat wild paths. This lower circle (B) area also includes a significant but gentle ledge that rises some metres in the hillside and provides a beautiful, charming landscape elevation. To the left of this crossroad is the location for the intriguing underground water ruin-fort (38) - (B). with its captivating view and somewhat dramatic picnic opportunities.
The Canyon and its River give direction in the Circle (B)
Two rugged crossroads appear along the lower section of the map loop (B) just to the right of the Canyon with its river (35) and one in the lower part of the circle (B). The second crossroad's location is to the right, just outside the ring. However, these crossroads align with the lower part of the circle (B). The Italian fortification (38) - (B) provides an eastern pointing direction for both crossroads. Regardless, the choice of their following paths will soon contact the continued walk towards higher grounds.
The Orientation and Directional Maps
Podocarpus Trees Next to the Paths in Circle (B)
The intended direction indicator allows a method to be used here with a limited length in the intended dial. With this method, it is also possible to distinguish objects more centrally located on the intended clockwork. The intended pointer clockwork gives direction, and when its outermost tip reaches its full extent at 4:30, it points to a concealed and dense forest area just south of the field (39). Consequently, as this intended pointer reaches 60% of its entire length, and at four o'clock, it becomes possible to find a magnificent native Podocarpus tree to the left of the hiking trail.
Tree Species from Aeons of Natural Wealth
An Evolutionary Legacy of a Lost Era
The Podocarpus Tree and its Ancient Biology
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| Erosion: Landscape Protection |
A Beautiful Memory that Attracts Modern Science and Art
With glowing passion and warmth, it is still spoken among the residents of Entoto about when the water level a reasonable time after the rainy season still stood one metre higher in Entoto's deep streams and its enchanting nature rock baths. It is thus quite close to the time when Entoto's mountain massif and its canyons could carry significantly higher water quantity and, therefore, supply the population in the capital with fresh water to a much greater extent. It seems natural to include Juniperus procera in this text about the Podocarpus tree because the closely related Juniperus procera tree appears so close together on the southern slope (B) - (16).
A Legendary, Closely Related Tree Species
Among Breathtaking Views and Juniper Giants' Care
Mighty in salience and surprisingly, these Juniperus procera trees from forgotten noble days appear in their park-like but enchanting setting. Thus, these entities from lost days still abide while they reside on the outer rim of an ancient high plateau (16). Mighty patinated in their pillar-furrowed appearance, they certainly stimulate picnics in reverence. Thus, their mighty guise entices the youth's forgotten dreams to emerge from the mist of enchantment, to be evoked once more beyond the days of old. With their furrowed pillars and lofty hall of green crowns, they appear here on the outer edge of the high plateau. Yet, even more, they dominate the site and seem to invite to this mighty green room for the cosiness in pleasure and picnics. Indeed, they seem to originate from a high historical culture even though they are here and just a minute's walk uphill. Then, when gazing down the landscape, like in the pictures at the head or just below, along the well-undulated slope towards Entoto Kidane Mehret (1) and the Capital, the view is well-decorated with native well-matured Juniperus procera trees.
A Grandiose Viewpoint with Exciting Adventures
The Resting Place from the Era of Dreams
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| Very remote vaguely appears, the Capital and civilization's settlements here from the elevated location on the outer rim of the high plateau (16). The Dreams of Pure Nature are offered by almost every view, also in the mighty Abyss with the Canyon's uphill adventure. The Indigenous Trees |
The high viewpoint (16) is here very near and within a short uphill walk, just above the map loop (B) with its gorgeous meadow and Podocarpus trees (16). With its stunning panorama mile-wide view over the landscape, this high site (16) appears charmingly cosy, surrounded by the historical and to Podocarpus related and ancient Juniper procera trees. To reach this site just at the outer rim of the high plateau requires a little detour to the slight right after passing the farmhouse (39) - (B). Arriving at the high viewpoint (16) and the outermost plateau ledge, this seductively blooming fragrance adventure appears, despite the challenges, as entirely captivating. Although this mountain exploration offers a somewhat thrilling experience with a hint of demand, all this is because the substantial rise in the mountain's southern hillside provides several wonderful and exciting rests with magnificent sceneries. Therefore, this highland route offers an excursion with its typical mountain's tempting highland air and enchantingly dramatic terrain.
The Restoration Of Lost Nature
A Precarious and Fragile Task
Science, much time and labour are needed for environmental restoration; this demands massive protection projects to offer the young plants the replacement for the lost biotope and its vital natural protective properties. Hence, restoring a lost biotope is very complicated and requires much work to recreate a reliable substitute for the missing shielding armour of the primaeval forest. Therefore, due to the absence of the essential protective functions of mother trees and other plants, enormous efforts are required to recreate these guardian functions for the tender indigenous seedlings, which otherwise do not survive the very exposed ground. Thus, this process of environmental restoration includes what was previously prehistorically self-evident as a crucial basis for the survival of all higher life forms.
Water and Land Restoration
Environmental Restoration
Check Dam Swales
Planting Technology
Erosion Prevention
Terraced Micro-Basins
Trees, Shrubs, Flowers and Herbs
Videos: Planting Technology
Ethiopia's Unique Highland Landscape and Climate
Regarding Ethiopia's unique climate in the seasons, with months of heavy downpours over the country's characteristic rugged landscape topography followed by months of blistering sunshine, difficulties naturally arise for the survival of planted saplings. The long prehistoric Nature's evolutionary optimized stability in sheer strength and water absorption found in the original native vegetation is thus often impossible to recreate with a simple planting of fragile young seedlings. Therefore, Ethiopia's neglected indigenous Nature demands knowledge and work before any sign of evident healing of the country's Nature and freshwater conservation. Consequently, it is often associated with incredible frustration to recreate healthy landscape biotopes by replanting young native plants on exposed, eroded mountain slopes and devastated high plateaus. Instead, sporadically planted young plants will require tender care with irrigation and protection against grazing animals and shade from season months of midday's mercilessly blistering sunshine. This recreation of Nature's shielding functions needs, thus, the devoted work of restoration to regain the guardian effect from a lost indigenous forest with its endemic vegetation of shielding undergrowth.
The Complications Of Indigenous Forest Restoration
Thus, it is impossible to recreate a stable and healthy nature by replanting a few native trees on a devastated plateau; instead, these sporadically planted young plants on the table will require tender care with irrigation and protection against grazing animals and shade from the blistering seasonal sun. Furthermore, on the slopes, these young plants most often need some temporary stabilizer of the ground and protection in something that mimics the wind and sun-protective effect of many mother trees. In addition, sporadically placed young plants can only offer a very rudimentary and weak protective network against erosion; instead, there is the obvious risk that these young plants will, in all probability, soon perish in the struggle against the great forces of Nature.
Thus, it is impossible to recreate a stable and healthy nature by replanting a few native trees on a devastated plateau; instead, these sporadically planted young plants on the table will require tender care with irrigation and protection against grazing animals and shade from the blistering seasonal sun. Furthermore, on the slopes, these young plants most often need some temporary stabilizer of the ground and protection in something that mimics the wind and sun-protective effect of many mother trees. In addition, sporadically placed young plants can only offer a very rudimentary and weak protective network against erosion; instead, there is the obvious risk that these young plants will, in all probability, soon perish in the struggle against the great forces of Nature.
The Eucalyptus Problem
The Australian Eucalyptus Tree
On Entoto Mountain and many other places around Addis Ababa, the existing vegetation is Eucalyptus globulus, an Australian tree brought to Ethiopia some 100 years ago. During this past time, most of the area around the town had been deforested due to the need for wood construction and fuel.
The Eucalyptus trees' Hostile, Toxic Impact.
A chemical component in the leaves and roots of Eucalyptus trees prevents the growth of both other trees and herbs. This chemical component leads to a mono-culture with eucalyptus as the only tree species and eventually no ground cover. The importance of careful research regarding knowledge in natural science is given a severe and evident example here before any foreign species is regarded as possible for an introduction into an unfamiliar and very possibly vulnerable habitat.
The Protection and Restoration
An Obligation with a Wonderful Solution
The stalk to the seed of indigenous Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior) is considerably more exposed in height at an early stage of its soil germination than the equivalent of the endemic Juniper tree seed. Since the tiny seedlings raise their seeds to the height of their brittle stems, an excellent and traditional solution arises - Rosa abyssinica, which can shield and defend with its sharp thorns the tender Podocarpus seedling in the absence of the original undergrowth, vegetation and biotope locally eradicated due to the tactical poisoning from the foreign eucalyptus tree.The Science of Indigenous Ancient Trees
Choosing the Right Mother Tree for Seed
In a distant location but within the same country, developed fauna and flora have undergone an extremely long evolutionary optimization to best adapt to the unique condition of its geological and surrounding genetic characteristics. The unique habitat in a particular region within a country imprinted the native indigenous to receive their distinctive property of plant and wildlife depending on the remoteness of the unique climate.
Hence, due to this isolated location on a country's mountainside or within its secluded gorge, the endemic tree created the specificity of their genetic heritage and the soil's uniqueness. Therefore, the trees' evolutionary connection to a country's landscape makes a precious legacy for their seeds, which inherit well-adapted genetic characteristics to the location's biological uniqueness.
Assessing Seeds Based on the Climate Zones of the Country
Hence, the genetic legacy's impact in Ethiopia's various climates and altitudes creates trees that, although belonging to the same species, developed a difference in genetic heritage to deal with these different climate zones. Thus, making the mistake of using the seed from a tree with its genetic origin from a moist and shady gorge as seedlings on a dry southern slope undermines these trees' ability to survive and other organisms, including humans.
Erosion Prevention Ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/entoto0351/_saved/
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Plant defence against herbivory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_abyssinica
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorns,_spines,_and_prickles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorns,_spines,_and_prickles
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Inside Ethiopia, Tours invites you to be part of an unforgettable experience in Entoto Natural Park. We will meet in our office, located in Kazanchis (just in front of the UNECA back entrance), and our guide will accompany you in the local taxis up to the mountain. This is an excellent opportunity for you to experience Ethiopian commuting.
Once we arrive on Entoto Mountain, where the capital city was first founded in 1886, you will undoubtedly feel like having mentholated topical ointment. Yes, we are not big fans of the Eucalyptus tree either! That is why we want to promote indigenous seedling planting in Ethiopia by contributing to the Ethiopian Green Legacy.
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Where do you plan to make your mark?
The Ethiopian Heritage Trustee Association is working to plant more than 50,000 indigenous saplings in Entoto Natural Park and Zego Kebele Association in Ankober District to cover exposed areas. Organizations: Associations: Educational institutions: All those who love Nature, together with our association, let's build a country with suitable air by planting saplings. Let's plant indigenous saplings together.
As we believe, we are ready and waiting for you this year. The Ethiopian Heritage Trustee Association has planted native saplings in place of Eucalyptus trees with partner organizations and members in the Entoto Natural Park. He tells you that this year, come and plant saplings together to protect the environment. For more information:
📞 Call +251 Ethiopia
011-5-15-88-02/ 09-22-97-27-46
Ethiopian Heritage Trust - Plantation of Seedlings
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| Handbook |
Identification, Propagation and
Management for 17 Agroclimatic Zones
Azene Bekele-Tesemma
Edited byBo Tengnäs, Ensermu Kelbesa, Sebsibe Demissew and Patrick Maundu
The contents of this handbook may be reproduced without special permission. However, acknowledgement of the source is requested. The photographers and artists concerned must be contacted for reproduction of illustrations. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Agroforestry Centre.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Edited by
Bo Tengnäs, Ensermu Kelbesa, Sebsibe Demissew and Patrick Maundu
The contents of this handbook may be reproduced without special permission. However, acknowledgement of the source is requested. The photographers and artists concerned must be contacted for reproduction of illustrations. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Agroforestry Centre.
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