Dalbergia baronii

Dalbergia baronii is a tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves. It grows only in the east of Madagascar. People call it hitsika, sovodrano, and hazovola. It grows in wet lowland rainforest on the island’s east coast. Trees often grow by streams and in swamp forest. They also grow at the inland edge of mangroves. Most sites have sandy soil that may hold salt.

Sources give heights of about 66 to 82 feet [20–25 metres]. Some trees reach 98 feet [30 metres]. These sizes describe the species, not a tested garden range. Most trees have a short trunk. The part with no branches may reach 20 feet [6 metres]. In some trees, it reaches 66 feet [20 metres]. The sources give no detailed account of leaves or bark. They show branches with flowers and a seedpod. They do not say when the tree blooms.

This tree grows in the wet tropics. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 10–12. Its wet forest home gives clues to its growing needs. But the evidence gives no tested plan for watering grown trees. Root nodules are lumps that hold bacteria. These bacteria take nitrogen from the air. The tree uses some of this nitrogen to grow. Plants near it may gain some benefit too. Its growth rate is not clear. One source suggests that it grows slowly.

Much of the tree’s value lies in its wood. The heartwood, or inner wood, can be grey-yellow brown. It can also be red-brown or dark brown. It may have dark streaks. It contrasts with the sapwood, the outer wood. The wood feels fine and even, with grain that runs mostly straight. Fresh wood has a sweet scent. Dry wood keeps its shape well and takes a smooth polish. People use it to make musical instruments and carvings. They also use it for carpentry, shingles, veneer, and plywood. Builders use it for boats and ships too. It resists termites and lasts a moderate time.

Logging and forest loss pose grave threats to this tree. Cutting chosen trees has left few large ones. Useful Tropical Plants lists its conservation status as Vulnerable. The stands left need protection from more loss. Future wood supplies depend on tree farms that succeed or careful forest harvests. Neither source lists uses for food or medicine. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards. This does not mean that all parts of the plant are safe.