Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior)
Entoto Natural Park's Endemic Trees Of the Southern Slopes
Podocarpus Trees in the Slope's Gorgeous Meadow
Within Entoto Natural Park's primordial, undulating mountain landscape, the endemic Podocarpus trees appear as a legacy from a much earlier, pre-anthropocenic era. With an ancient appearance, giving the impression of long-forgotten, athletic, entwinedly hunched, and admirably mystical entities, these few remaining Podocarpus trees on the southern slope of Entoto Natural Park appear as the last precious, truly genuine heritage from a lost aeon of Nature. With their ancient, patinated, muscular, furrowed trunks, they appear below the extensive farmhouse area (39) - (B) and not far below the viewpoint (16), they deliver a great pleasure for any soul with a passion for Nature. Yet, these Podocarpus trees are not alone in carrying their ancient heritage, since just near and above them, on a well-rised and enclosing ledge, viewing down to the farmhouse's wild meadow, (39) - (B), are towering, proudly large Juniperus procera trees along this ledge of the wild meadow's upper hillside.
The Ancient Juniper Trees of the High Plateau
Among Breathtaking Views and Juniper Giants' Shelter
However, while continuing hiking upwards on the mountainside, the path turns slightly to the right towards the viewpoint (16), where, at the last rise of this slope, many incredible, stately Juniperus procera trees rise on the high plateau's outer ledge. Hence, after enjoying the slope's impressive trees (B) from forgotten eras, the outer ledge (16) of the high plateau is surprised by a larger number of these dominating, mighty, and indigenous Juniperus procera trees from forgotten noble days. Here, these Juniper procera trees appear in a celestial park from lost days, where their beauty enthrals and captivates each soul, revealing to them a wisdom they have so long believed lost. Thus, among these entities from lost days, on the earth still abides a cradle for any worn wanderer to enter the wisdom of lost aeons and hence step into this veiled baldachin of the forgotten kingdom on an ancient high plateau (16). With their mighty hall supported by patinated pillar-furrowed trunks, they deliver consolation to any wanderer while their hearts seek to heal. Here, beneath these mighty crowns, a staggering miles-wide view over the highland landscape is revealed. Thus, on the outer ledge of the high plateau, these endemically Juniperus procera trees indeed invite picnics in reverence while thoroughly enjoying the tremendous views, including the Capital (from the map point No. 16; see the header above).
A Grandiose Viewpoint with Exciting Adventures
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| Very remote vaguely appears, the Capital and civilization's settlements here from the elevated location on the outer rim of the high plateau (16). The Dreams of Pure Nature are offered by almost every view, also in the mighty Abyss with the Canyon's uphill adventure. The Indigenous Trees |
The Resting Place from the Era of Dreams
With its stunning mile-wide panorama of the landscape, this high site (16) appears charmingly cosy, surrounded by the ancient Juniper procera trees. The high viewpoint (16) is very near the mountain's slope and within a short uphill walk, just after passing the gorgeous meadow, the map loop (B) with its endemic trees. To reach this site, just at the outer rim of the high plateau, requires a little detour to the slight right after passing the farmhouse (39) - (B).
A Highland Route and A Family Excursion
Arriving at the high viewpoint (16) and the outermost plateau ledge often feels overwhelming, as the seductively blooming fragrance fills the air. The adventure, despite the challenges, appears entirely captivating, while this mountain offers a somewhat thrilling exploration. Therefore, this highland route offers an excursion through its typical mountain air and enchantingly dramatic terrain.
A Legendary, Closely Related Tree Species
Among Breathtaking Views and Juniper Giants' Care
Mighty in salience and surprisingly, these Juniperus procera trees from forgotten noble days appear in their park-like but enchanting setting. Thus, these entities from lost days still abide on the outer rim of an ancient high plateau (16). Mighty patinated in their pillar-furrowed appearance, they certainly stimulate picnics in reverence. Thus, their mighty guise the youth's forgotten dreams to emerge from the mist of enchantment, to be evoked once more beyond the days of old. With their furrowed pillars and lofty hall of green crowns, they appear here on the outer edge of the high plateau. Yet, even more, they dominate the site and seem to invite to this mighty green room for the cosiness in pleasure and picnics. Indeed, they seem to originate from a high historical culture, even though they are here and just a minute's walk uphill. Yet even this hike demands a hint of ordeal; it's mostly a deep pleasure because the substantial rise on the mountain's southern hillside offers several excellent, exciting rest stops with magnificent scenery. Then, when gazing down the landscape, like in the pictures at the head or just above, along the well-undulated Slope towards Entoto Kidane Mehret (1) and the Capital, the view is well-decorated with native well-matured Juniperus procera trees.
Tree Species from Aeons Of Natural Wealth
An Evolutionary Legacy of a Lost Era
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This Podocarpus sapling in the photo carries a heritage that could be very important to the Park's future and historical heritage. |
A Beautiful Memory that Attracts Modern Science and Art
With glowing passion and warmth, people still remember, among the residents of Entoto, when, a reasonable time after the rainy season, the water level in Entoto's deep streams and its enchanting rock-bath pools still stood one metre higher. It is thus quite close to the time when Entoto's mountain massif and its canyons could carry significantly higher water quantity and, therefore, supply the population in the capital with fresh water to a much greater extent. It seems natural to emphasise the importance of Juniperus procera in this text about the Podocarpus, as they both appear crucial to ensuring that water is delivered securely to the aquifers and the societies beneath.
The Indigenous Trees and Their Unique Appearance
The Podocarpus tree's highly lifted seed stems are considerably more vulnerable to climate and grazing animals than the corresponding parts of the Juniper tree's smaller and lower seed stems, which quite conveniently hide its germs in smaller cavities of the ground. For any Nature-interested viewer of these trees, it often appears from their mighty and special furrowed appearance that this Podocarpus tree is related to the Juniper procera tree. Yet, despite these trees' mighty appearance as ancient creations, difficulties arise with the podocarpus tree's seeds, which, due to their large size, struggle to find shelter in the absence of a prehistoric evolutionary background within dense undergrowth. Hence, this prehistoric and evolutionary heritage of highly elevated seed stems renders them critically vulnerable to human intervention. Thus, this ancient trait of high seed exposure arises because the two related tree species share the same peculiarity: lifting their seeds from the ground to the height of their brittle stalks. This vulnerability, with an exposed raised germ, is thus especially pronounced in the Podocarpus large tree's stem seed, making it particularly vulnerable to grazing animals and torrential flash floods. Hence, the Podocarpus tree, with an ancient adaptation to hide its seedlings beneath dense undergrowth, is now exposed to the side effects of human intervention, which often results in barren or repellent ground. Hence, the Podocarpus tree's seeds all too often become immediate victims of the civilisation's creation of a hard, dry, abrasive clay-soil crust.
Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior)
The Environment and Biology -
Biodiversity
Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior)
The Environment and Biology -
Biodiversity
These sparsely and anciently furrowed remaining Podocarpus trees seem no longer able to give surviving progeny in the barren, eroded, exposed lands - a type of heavily eroding brittle clay crust formed by foreign toxicity since the introduction of the alien eucalyptus tree over a hundred years ago. This tree species is scarce at Entoto and does not appear to compete with the surrounding eucalyptus plantings. This tree has an exposed and sensitive seed-laying design opposite its otherwise healthy, rugged seed coat, including its fruit (cones). Here, it's nut-like dry last year's pendants decorate the mighty mother trees with their seed (cones) in ancient-looking packaging that surrounds and protects the fertile seed and provides inspiring, sophisticated memories from last year's season.
Entoto Natural Park's - Nature Restoration
However, for many years, much work has continued to reform the upper soil layer and establish a protective undergrowth. This work is devoted to the primaeval forest by providing organic matter and composted humus, which improve soil structure, resulting in a higher ground infiltration rate and a significantly enhanced water storage capacity. It would be a very significant surprise to receive news of a new generation of these highly blessed historic trees, which still grow in a magical, graceful, and appealing landscape. Pinterest: Planting Saplings
The Environmental Restoration With Native Trees
The Indigenous Podocarpus trees
The Indigenous Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior) (Am: Zigba) (Or: Birbirsa)
These endemic trees, scarce at Entoto, are struggling to survive in the toxic environment created by the eucalyptus. The barren, eroded lands resulting from the Australian eucalyptus tree's aggressive, toxin-induced ground deformations have disrupted the reproductive capacity of the endemic Podocarpus trees, which lack evolutionary defences against the toxin produced by this eucalyptus tree. A century ago, the international scientific community was unaware of the need to examine the environmental toxicity of plants and animals. With their dense network of roots, the original Ethiopian trees formed a reinforcing, tangled indigenous vegetation with a prehistoric quality of tremendous strength, delivered from aeons of evolution. This urgent situation calls for immediate action and further scientific examination.
The Location of Podocarpus falcatus Trees
Within A Wonderful Highland Landscape
To see several other indigenous Podocarpus trees, look just below this field (39) and to the right side in the lower part of Circle (B). The easiest way to reach these trees is to use the crossroads just outside the lower part of the circle (B), where the trees above appear deeply hidden in an undulating, forgotten landscape of the past. This rather wild and wavy Slope is fantastic, with several native Podocarpus falcatus trees, which proudly pose in veiled motion, muscular and furrowed, forgotten for aeons on this hilly southern Slope. While this type of orientation assistance is compatible with visitors' unfamiliarity with local habits, other requirements are needed to fulfil the tradition of the native population, who prefer to use their own orientation in the landscape of the revered past.
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Bees' Cliff 14 requires Caution in the Canyon but assists with the wide map loop surrounding the gentle and fascinating tributary 36 to the Canyon and 41-42. |
The Assistance to Ancient Native Trees
The Invitation to the Trees from the Past
The hike shown within Circle (B) features the relatively high but gentle points (38) and (39), which constitute both crossroads and, with them, somewhat wild paths that, within short leads, lead to viewpoint (16). The lower circle (B) area also includes a significant but gentle ledge that rises some metres in the hillside and provides an inspiring landscape elevation. To the left of this crossroad is the intriguing underground water ruin-fort (38) - (B), with its view and somewhat dramatic precipice, but this site includes a cosy picnic glade (38) - (B) just above the waterfall.
The Canyon's Drama Guide Above the Circle (B)
The two rugged crossroads appear along a wild ledge in the lower section of the map loop (B), just below and to the right of the Canyon (B) - (14) with its river, including one at the lower part of the circle (B). This second crossroads is to the right, just outside the ring (B). However, these crossroads align with the lower part of the circle (B). The Italian fortification (38) (B) provides an eastern orientation for both crossroads. These crossroads' connected paths will soon offer a multitude of directions towards higher ground.
The Mountain's Orientation and Directional Maps
Podocarpus Trees Next to the Paths in Circle (B)
The intended direction indicator allows a method to be used here with a limited length in the intended dial. With this method, it is also possible to distinguish objects more centrally located on the intended clockwork. The intended pointer clockwork gives direction, and when its outermost tip reaches its full extent at 4:30, it points to a concealed and dense forest area just south of the field (39). Consequently, as this intended pointer reaches 60% of its entire length, and at four o'clock, it becomes possible to find a magnificent native Podocarpus tree to the left of the hiking trail. For more precise map orientation of this mountainous landscape, click the link just above.
The Restoration Of Lost Nature
A Precarious and Fragile Task
Science shows that significant time and labour are crucial for environmental restoration; this requires massive protection projects to provide young plants with a replacement for the lost biotope and its vital natural protective properties. Hence, restoring a lost biotope is very complicated and requires significant effort to recreate a reliable substitute for the primaeval forest's missing shielding armour. Therefore, because the essential protective functions of mother trees and other plants are absent, enormous effort is required to recreate these guardian functions for the tender indigenous seedlings, which otherwise do not survive on the very exposed ground. Thus, this process of environmental restoration includes what was previously prehistorically self-evident as a crucial basis for the survival of all higher life forms.
Water and Land Restoration
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Planting Technology
Erosion Prevention
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Videos: Planting Technology
Ethiopia's Unique Highland Landscape and Climate
Regarding Ethiopia's unique seasonal climate, with months of heavy downpours over the country's rugged topography, followed by months of blistering sunshine, difficulties naturally arise for the survival of planted saplings. The long prehistoric Nature's evolutionary optimized stability in sheer strength and water absorption found in the original native vegetation is thus often impossible to recreate with a simple planting of fragile young seedlings. Therefore, Ethiopia's neglected indigenous Nature demands knowledge and work before any sign of evident healing of the country's Nature and freshwater conservation. Consequently, it is often associated with incredible frustration to recreate healthy landscape biotopes by replanting young native plants on exposed, eroded mountain slopes and devastated high plateaus. Instead, sporadically planted young plants will require tender care, including irrigation, protection against grazing animals, and shade from the season's midday, mercilessly blistering sunshine. This recreation of Nature's shielding functions thus requires the dedicated work of restoration to regain the guardian effect from a lost indigenous forest with its protective undergrowth.
The Complications Of Indigenous Forest Restoration
Thus, it is impossible to recreate a stable, healthy ecosystem by replanting a few native trees on a devastated plateau; instead, these young plants, planted sporadically on the table, will require tender care, irrigation, protection from grazing animals, and shade from the blistering seasonal sun. Furthermore, on the slopes, these young plants most often need some temporary stabilizer of the ground and protection in something that mimics the wind and sun-protective effect of many mother trees. In addition, sporadically placed young plants can only offer a very rudimentary and weak protective network against erosion; instead, there is the obvious risk that these young plants will, in all probability, soon perish in the struggle against the great forces of Nature.
Thus, it is impossible to recreate a stable, healthy ecosystem by replanting a few native trees on a devastated plateau; instead, these young plants, planted sporadically on the table, will require tender care, irrigation, protection from grazing animals, and shade from the blistering seasonal sun. Furthermore, on the slopes, these young plants most often need some temporary stabilizer of the ground and protection in something that mimics the wind and sun-protective effect of many mother trees. In addition, sporadically placed young plants can only offer a very rudimentary and weak protective network against erosion; instead, there is the obvious risk that these young plants will, in all probability, soon perish in the struggle against the great forces of Nature.
The Eucalyptus Problem
The Australian Eucalyptus Tree
On Entoto Mountain and in many other places around Addis Ababa, the existing vegetation is Eucalyptus globulus, an Australian tree introduced to Ethiopia about 100 years ago. During this past time, most of the area around the town had been deforested due to the need for wood construction and fuel.
The Eucalyptus trees' Hostile, Toxic Impact.
A chemical component in the leaves and roots of Eucalyptus trees prevents the growth of both other trees and herbs. This chemical component leads to a monoculture with eucalyptus as the only tree species and eventually no ground cover. The importance of careful research into the natural sciences is clearly illustrated here before any foreign species is considered for introduction into an unfamiliar and very possibly vulnerable habitat.
The Protection and Restoration
An Obligation with a Wonderful Solution
The stalk to the seed of indigenous Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior) is considerably more exposed in height at an early stage of its soil germination than the equivalent of the endemic Juniper tree seed. Since the tiny seedlings raise their seeds to the height of their brittle stems, an excellent and traditional solution arises - Rosa abyssinica, which can shield and defend with its sharp thorns the tender Podocarpus seedling in the absence of the original undergrowth, vegetation and biotope locally eradicated due to the tactical poisoning from the foreign eucalyptus tree.Choosing the Right Mother Tree for Seed
The Science of Indigenous Ancient Trees
The distant location, though within the same country, has developed flora that have undergone extensive evolutionary optimization to best adapt to the unique geological and surrounding conditions, with distinct genetic characteristics variation even within the same tree species. The unique habitat in a particular region within a country imprints indigenous DNA, imparting distinctive properties to its plants and wildlife, depending on the region's varied and exceptional climate.
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| DNA Selections of Seeds (Oxford Academic) |
Hence, this country's topographically isolated locations have different genetic requirements due to local, unique climate factors within each landscape. Therefore, whether on the country's mountainside or within its secluded gorge, the landscape's uniqueness determines the historically imprinted pedigree and genetic heritage of the endemic trees, as well as the composition of their soils. Thus, the trees' evolutionary connection to a country's landscape creates a precious legacy for their seeds, which inherit well-adapted genetic characteristics suited to the location's biological uniqueness.
Assessing Seeds Based on the Climate Zones of the Country
Hence, the genetic legacy's impact across Ethiopia's various climates and altitudes creates trees that, although belonging to the same species, have developed distinct genetic heritages to adapt to these various climate zones. Due to genetic adaptation to different regions within a country, trees produce the ability to cope with these different climate zones. Thus, the mistake of using seed from a tree with its genetic origin in a moist, shady gorge as seedlings on a dry southern slope undermines these trees' ability to survive, as well as that of other organisms, including humans.
Erosion Prevention Ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/entoto0351/_saved/
Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior ) Podocarpaceae
Indigenous
Vernacular names
Am: Zigba Gr: Zigba
Eng: Podo Or: Birbirsa
Ecology:
Podocarpus trees are mainly found in the southern hemisphere. These conifers, which have no cones, are related to junipers and are also known as yellow-woods. P. falcatus is a large tree of the semi-humid lower highland forest of the central and eastern Highlands in Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones, 1,600-2,500 m.
Uses: Firewood, poles, timber (furniture, boxes, plywood, panels), medicine (bark), ornamental, shade.
Description: An evergreen tree with a straight bole to 25 m or more. BARK: Grey to dark brown, cracking and scaling into irregular rectangles.
LEAVES: Narrow, shiny dark green, 2-5 cm, gradually tapering. Young leaves are larger and brighter, giving a green flush. CONES: 1-3 male catkins, yellow-brown, about 2 cm, female cones hard, rounded to 2 cm, very slow to develop, green with dull purple bloom, outer shell thin but inner flesh eaten by monkeys and birds.
Propagation: Seedlings, wildings.
Seed: No. of seed per kg: 2,100-2.600.
Treatment: Crack the hard woody seed coat
Before sowing.
Storage: Seed can be stored for up to 2 years.
Management: Slow growing.
Hardy once established.
Remarks: The species is now rare due to over-exploitation. The wood needs preservatives and careful seasoning to prevent warping (Azene Bekele-Tesemma 1993).
Indigenous
Vernacular names
Am: Zigba Gr: Zigba
Eng: Podo Or: Birbirsa
Ecology:
Podocarpus trees are mainly found in the southern hemisphere. These conifers, which have no cones, are related to junipers and are also known as yellow-woods. P. falcatus is a large tree of the semi-humid lower highland forest of the central and eastern Highlands in Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones, 1,600-2,500 m.
Uses: Firewood, poles, timber (furniture, boxes, plywood, panels), medicine (bark), ornamental, shade.
Description: An evergreen tree with a straight bole to 25 m or more. BARK: Grey to dark brown, cracking and scaling into irregular rectangles.
LEAVES: Narrow, shiny dark green, 2-5 cm, gradually tapering. Young leaves are larger and brighter, giving a green flush. CONES: 1-3 male catkins, yellow-brown, about 2 cm, female cones hard, rounded to 2 cm, very slow to develop, green with dull purple bloom, outer shell thin but inner flesh eaten by monkeys and birds.
Propagation: Seedlings, wildings.
Seed: No. of seed per kg: 2,100-2.600.
Treatment: Crack the hard woody seed coat
Before sowing.
Storage: Seed can be stored for up to 2 years.
Management: Slow growing.
Hardy once established.
Remarks: The species is now rare due to over-exploitation. The wood needs preservatives and careful seasoning to prevent warping (Azene Bekele-Tesemma 1993).
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Plant defence against herbivory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_abyssinica
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorns,_spines,_and_prickles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorns,_spines,_and_prickles
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Inside Ethiopia, Tours invites you to be part of an unforgettable experience in Entoto Natural Park. We will meet in our office, located in Kazanchis (just in front of the UNECA back entrance), and our guide will accompany you in the local taxis up to the mountain. This is an excellent opportunity for you to experience Ethiopian commuting.
Once we arrive on Entoto Mountain, where the capital city was first founded in 1886, you will undoubtedly feel like having mentholated topical ointment. Yes, we are not big fans of the Eucalyptus tree either! That is why we want to promote indigenous seedling planting in Ethiopia by contributing to the Ethiopian Green Legacy.
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Where do you plan to make your mark?
The Ethiopian Heritage Trustee Association is working to plant more than 50,000 indigenous saplings in Entoto Natural Park and Zego Kebele Association in Ankober District to cover exposed areas. Organizations: Associations: Educational institutions: All those who love Nature, together with our association, let's build a country with suitable air by planting saplings. Let's plant indigenous saplings together.
As we believe, we are ready and waiting for you this year. The Ethiopian Heritage Trustee Association has planted native saplings in place of Eucalyptus trees with partner organizations and members in the Entoto Natural Park. He tells you that this year, come and plant saplings together to protect the environment. For more information:
π Call +251 Ethiopia
011-5-15-88-02/ 09-22-97-27-46
Ethiopian Heritage Trust - Plantation of Seedlings
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| Handbook |
Identification, Propagation and
Management for 17 Agroclimatic Zones
Azene Bekele-Tesemma
Edited byBo TengnΓ€s, Ensermu Kelbesa, Sebsibe Demissew and Patrick Maundu
The contents of this handbook may be reproduced without special permission. However, acknowledgement of the source is requested. The photographers and artists concerned must be contacted for reproduction of illustrations. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Agroforestry Centre.
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Edited by
Bo TengnΓ€s, Ensermu Kelbesa, Sebsibe Demissew and Patrick Maundu
The contents of this handbook may be reproduced without special permission. However, acknowledgement of the source is requested. The photographers and artists concerned must be contacted for reproduction of illustrations. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Agroforestry Centre.
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