Boscia albitrunca
The Shepherd’s Tree, growing up to 7m tall, is one of the most important fodder trees where it occurs. It has a very high protein content in its evergreen leaves and both the flowers and fruits are eagerly eaten by birds and antelope. It is also incredibly valuable as a shade tree – it is said that even ground temperatures of 70°C is lowered to 21°C in the shade of a Shepherd’s Tree! In South Africa, Shepherd’s Trees grow in the savanna regions from northern Kwazulu-Natal, through Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, the North West and the Free State to the arid west of the Northern Cape. It is also found widely in Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The dried, ground roots of the Shepherd’s Tree can be used to make a kind of coffee, while fresh roots can be pounded and eaten as porridge. Its bark is used to brew traditional beer and the edible fruit is an ingredient in traditional dishes.
DeWetsWild 
Pingback: Common Orange Tip | de Wets Wild
Ek het gewonder oor die Afrikaanse naam maar jy’t my herhinder toe ok “hover” oor die fotos! 😉
Afrikaans is darem partykeer net soveel meer beskrywend, is dit nie, AJ?
Natuurlik! Hol… wit boom… hol! 😉
A lovely tree usually with such character too.
We agree entirely, Carol!
Daardie digte skaduwee en witterige stam is onmiskenbaar. Ek wonder hoe proe die bier? 😄
Wanneer jy uitvind kan jy ons asseblief laat weet, Dina! 😀
Hahaa…ek is sjeker disj nie baie lekjer nie, Driesj!
😀
Dit sal sekerlik iets wees vir die meer kieskeurige palaat ja…
Pity about the uses of the roots. I wonder whether exploitation by human populations doesn’t therefore stunt growth or kill trees.
Thankfully it doesn’t seem that its use by humans is widespread and sustained enough to impact the species negatively.
Thank heaven for that! I’m sure it isn’t for want of trying.
While solitary Shepherd’s Trees are frequently in many places, we passed an area in the Eastern Cape where they were spread all over the side of a kopje – a wonderful sight with their pale trunks almost glowing in the early morning light.
That must’ve been wonderful to see, Anne, and proof of a farmer taking good care of his land!
It would be difficult to guess at first glance how valuable this scrubby-looking tree is in the savanna. Fascinating.
There’s so much to learn and appreciate about every single species on the planet.
Ha, het Afrikaanse naam gesien. Daar is redelik baie in die Bosveld.
Jy’s reg, Ineke, en ek dink baie boere is baie dankbaar daarvoor!
Beslis! Mooi dag daar.