Agroforestry Services: Crop shade  Agroforestry Services: Living trellis  Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Fodder: Bank  Fodder: Insect  Fodder: Pod  Management: Standard  Regional Crop  Staple Crop: Balanced carb

A plant of the lowland, humid tropics, growing from sea level to an elevation of 1,300 metres[303 ]. It prefers a mean annual temperature in the range 20 - 35c, being liable to damage if temperatures ever drop below 8c. It tolerates a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 3,000mm[303 ]. In areas of high rainfall the tree has a tendency to be shallow-rooted, but is deep rooted when grown in drier areas[303 ]. Prefers a position in full sun[307 ]. A fairly easy tree to grow, tolerant of a range of conditions, it grows on light or heavy soils and tolerates infertile or waterlogged conditions[303 ]. Normally found on neutral to moderately acid soils, it can grow on soil with pH as low as 4.6[303 ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[307 ]. Yields of up to 275 kilos of pods per year can be obtained from trees 15 years old[269 ]. The trees provide a microclimate effect for the plants growing under their canopies. At night and on cloudy days, branches hang down and the leaves fold down and inward, allowing rain to fall directly on the ground and promoting cooling through exposing the ground[303 ]. In the morning the leaves unfold and resume a horizontal position, giving full shade and helping to preserve moisture[303 ]. The species is used as a shade for tea, coffee, cocoa, nutmeg and vanilla, and provides shade for pasture and grazing animals[303 ]. The tree responds to pruning and coppices well, regrowing rapidly when lopped or pollarded[303 ]. The tree is listed as undesirable in environmentally sensitive areas of Australia[307 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[755 ]. Flowering Time: Late Spring/Early Summer Mid Summer. Bloom Color: Pale Pink Pink White/Near White (red, pink). Spacing: 30-40 ft. (9-12 m) over 40 ft. (12 m). Carbon farming - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard.

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Crop shade  Plants providing crop shade especially trees.
• Agroforestry Services: Living trellis  Plants to physically support other crops.
• Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
• Fodder: Bank  Fodder banks are plantings of high-quality fodder species. Their goal is to maintain healthy productive animals. They can be utilized all year, but are designed to bridge the forage scarcity of annual dry seasons. Fodder bank plants are usually trees or shrubs, and often legumes. The relatively deep roots of these woody perennials allow them to reach soil nutrients and moisture not available to grasses and herbaceous plants.
• Fodder: Insect  Plants grown for useful fodder insects.
• Fodder: Pod  Fodder plants with pods.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
• Staple Crop: Balanced carb  (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.