Grevillea grown on farmland: Timber business environment and value chain (part 2)

Grevillea robusta was introduced in Kenya as a shade tree for coffee and tea cash crops. It was adopted by coffee planters from the very early days of the industry in Kenya and by 1910 the Forest Department had started planting it in mixed stands with cypress (Cupressus lusitanica). In the 1940s, it was widely recommended as a timber tree for planting at altitudes below 2,000 metres, while cypress was recommended for higher altitudes (Graham 1945:133). The species is currently well accepted and established around the East African highlands having been naturalized locally in the last 100 years. In these densely populated zones, it is an important source of fuel wood and income from sale of construction timber. The wood is appreciated for fuelwood because it dries quickly- the trees are usually heavily pruned for fuel and construction of small farm buildings. The pale pinkish brown timber has a beautiful, well-marked silver grain, making it desirable for furniture and cabinet work. The species is popular with farmers because it provides viable products, it is easy to propagate and can grow in low-fertility soils.

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