Grevillea Robusta

Grevillea Robusta

If you have travelled along the central highlands of Kenya the possibility of having seen a grevillea tree is high. Commonly known as the silky oak, Grevillea Robusta is most common in the regions mentioned above. The local names for the tree species according to the World Agroforestry include Mukima (Kamba), Mubariti (Kikuyu), Omokabiria (Kisii), Kapkawet (Nandi), and Eshichuma (Luhya).

The ever-green tree originated from south-eastern Australia and was introduced in coffee farms for shading.  It is now widely grown in the country in coffee and tea zones. The tree grows well in areas between 850m-2500m altitude with an annual rainfall mean of 600mm- 1500mm. It is best suited for well-drained fertile soils and grows to a height of 20m with a diameter of up to 25cm in a period of 15-20 years.

Grevillea is mainly propagated through seeds and wildings. It is mainly planted along boundaries, in woodlots, or scattered among crops. Some of the management activities for the tree include pruning that reduces light interference for the crops hence reducing competition and pollarding, and removal of the crown, which is done to improve the tree diameter.

Grevillea Robusta has several uses hence ideal for a farm setting. Its multibranched nature makes the tree ideal for firewood used in homesteads. The leaves of the trees are used as fodder during the dry season and also as bedding for dairy animals in the zero-grazing method. The golden yellow flowers produced by the trees attract bees which can help in improving bee farming on a farm.

Other uses for the tree include timber, poles and posts, bee forage, mulch, windbreaks, shading, ornamental and soil conservation. Grevillea is gaining popularity in the commercial forestry sector. Upon maturity of the trees, it is advisable to sell the trees as timber and not as a whole tree. This attracts more returns to the farmers.