Common Name: Wild Peach

General Information

Kiggelaria africana varies in habit from a shrub of around 3 metres tall to a low-branching tree that can be 17 metres tall but is usually somewhat smaller[, ]. It can be evergreen or shortly deciduous[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber, whilst the plant is also cultivated as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - South Africa.

Habitat

Rain and mist forests, sometimes at margins, at elevations of 1,370 - 2,550 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in subtropical to tropical climates and in fairly dry to moister areas[]. Reasonably frost-hardy, the plant tolerates occasional temperatures down to around - 2°c, and is also found where daytime temperatures can be as high as 36°c[].
Prefers a soil rich in organic matter[]. Grows best in a sunny position[].The plant likes a moderate amount of water[], but is also drought-tolerant[].
Plants have non-aggressive root systems[].
With good conditions, young plants grow fast and can flower when only two years old[].
The plant has a natural tendency to branch from low down, so you need to prune away the lower branches early on if you want a tree shape[].
A very variable species[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

It makes an excellent screen, forming an effective windbreak, or developing into a large and wide-spreading shade tree[, ].

Other Uses

The pink-brown wood is hard and close-grained[, ]. It is a useful general purpose timber, used for beams, floorboards, cabinet work, furniture etc, and was once used for the spokes of wagon wheels[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow in containers and prick out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are best planted out by the time they are 30cm tall to prevent them becoming pot-bound[].
Cuttings.

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