NATURE

EUCALYPTUS HAS REVOLUTIONALISED OUR LIVES
By Mugyenyi Cyril

Eucalyptus tree, a native of Australia with hundreds of species, was introduced in this country in the last century. It is grown abundantly in Uganda and particularly in western part of the country both on small scale and on commercial plantations.

Debate has been going on about demerits of this lifesaver but I would like to look at its positive attributes that are due to its unique properties.

Eucalyptus a heavy feeder accumulates biomass very fast. Its wood has densely fibres packed which enables it to have multiple uses.

This tree is very easy to propagate out of seeds whose germination percentage is usually good requiring no pre-treatment. Once established, it can coppice many times making it possible for one to have multiple harvests from the same stump and produces straight stems. It is capable of growing in a range of harsh environmental conditions including rocky and thin soils as well as withstanding extreme drought.

It can compete favorably with other trees, the reason why it should not be planted with or near other crops. All these make it a more versatile crop, superior to many others.

At the on set of rains, mature trees produce many flowers, with rich nectories that support the apiary industry because they are a source of honey. They play a big role in supporting apiary in Western Uganda. The honey foraged out of eucalyptus flowers is very sweet, has a good aroma and has medicinal value.

From the richest to the poorest family, this tree produces firewood on a daily basis that helps to bring the food at the table. Have you ever imagined what our lives would look like if this tree was not introduced by our brilliant grandfathers? .

We are able to cook nutritious foods like dry beans, peas and soybeans because of the huge energy stores in the eucalyptus wood, which we burn to convert raw food into a finished food at minimal costs. Look at educational institutions, prisons, the Army all have to burn tons of this tree to keep their bodies energized.

The construction of temporary and semi permanent buildings over decades has relied on this wonder tree for our needs. As timber from natural forests runs out, people have resorted to using timber from this tree.

Depending on the strength required, mature trees are of a hard wood type and are increasingly used in construction of permanent houses and furniture of various shapes. Human population is growing very fast and each child will need furniture to sit on while at school, timber for construction of a house and timber for furniture.

Trees in the natural forest take over 60 years to mature yet Eucalyptus will need a minimum of 15 years. This makes this tree the best alternative in the face of increasing demand. Rural electrification requires huge numbers of poles for electric power transmission and distribution. The only available tree that can produce straight poles for this is Eucalyptus.

Despite the innumerable uses debate has been going on about this tree being responsible for drying of land and wetlands. Allegations are that it absorbs so much water that makes land dry. The truth of this argument has been long contested by people like my self. Large areas of this country receive adequate rain therefore there is enough water for every crop most of the year.

If this tree was so much of a water lover, then it would do well in wetlands. I have observed eucalyptus trees planted in water logged for over 20 years, these remain very stunted if not dry.

Much of the drying of water sources in Western Uganda is either due to draining of wetlands, poor land use practices or the changing global climate towards dry conditions and not Eucalyptus.

I call upon scientists out there with credible, well researched evidence to help me and others of my type to understand how eucalyptus can be responsible for drying of land and water sources.

Mugyenyi Cyril
Member Panel of Experts of Daily Monitor
mbjcyril@yahoo.com