Zingana
Microberlinia brazzavillensis
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A large tree growing up to 45 m in height, Zingana or Microberlinia brazzavillensis is a specialty timber tree grown in Congo and Gabon in Africa. It has a straight and cylindrical bole that can be up to 150 cm in diameter, and short buttresses. It has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria which form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Its wood is highly durable and resistant to the attack of termites and wood rotting fungi. It is used for decorative veneers and turnery, tool handles, and ski manufacture. It is also known in other common names such as zebrano and allen ele.
Microberlinia brazzavillensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 35 m (114ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Height (m): 35
Where it is found
Coastal forest.
Western tropical Africa - Congo, Gabon.
Conservation Status: Status: Vulnerable A1c
Countries/locations it is found in
Cameroon; Congo; Gabon
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
Other Uses The heartwood is pale yellow brown with narrow darker streaks, the striping pattern varies considerably; it is clearly demarcated from the white sapwood, which is up to 10cm wide. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain usually wavy or interlocked; lustrous; an unpleasant odour disappearing upon drying. The heartwood is durable and resistant to termite attack. The wood saws fairly well, although a clean smooth finish is sometimes difficult to obtain with machine or hand planing; it has good gluing properties, although veneers need careful handling to avoid cracking. A speciality timber, it is used for decorative veneers and turnery; because of its high toughness it is also used in ski manufacture, tool handles etc.
Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
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.
Propagating it: Seed -
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Zingana