Vachellia xanthophloea aka Fever Tree

Vachellia xanthophloea is a deciduous tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. Its native range runs from northern Somalia to South Africa. It grows in a tropical climate with a dry season. Wild trees grow beside rivers, in swamps, and on flood plains. They also grow in low spots where water collects.

The tree has spreading branches and an open crown. The listed mature height is about 66 feet [20 metres]. Larger trees can reach 82 feet [25 metres]. The straight trunk can span about 2 feet [0.6 metres]. Long, white thorns grow in pairs along the stems. They stand out on young trees but become less clear with age. The tree sheds its leaves rather than keeping them year-round. Bees and butterflies pollinate it.

Young trees grow fast, often adding 5 feet [1.5 metres] each year. Some reach 23 feet [7 metres] within three years. The species prefers sandy soil, though wild trees also grow in black clay. Older trees can withstand moderate frost. Root bacteria form nodules and fix nitrogen from the air. The tree uses some of this nitrogen. Nearby plants can also benefit from it. Seeds have a hard coat that can slow germination. Scarifying the coat and soaking seeds can help them sprout.

Gardeners grow this tree as an ornamental and sometimes use it for hedges. People also harvest wild trees for wood, gum, and medicine. The trunk produces large amounts of gum, which is reported as edible. Monkeys eat it too. Traditional remedies use the bark for digestive trouble and other illnesses. Lab tests found antimicrobial effects in bark and leaf extracts. These findings do not establish that home treatments are safe or effective. The supplied evidence does not establish this species' toxicity.

The wood serves for building, furniture, boats, posts, and household goods. It also provides fuel and charcoal. It needs careful drying, since it can split and crack. Borers can attack the timber. Bark contains much tannin, but it gives poor results in leather making. Trees often recover from bark stripping and damage caused by elephants. Yet heavy bark harvesting can cause harm in some areas. This makes the level of harvest important where people collect bark for medicine.