Pithecellobium guachapele (Kunth) J. F. Macbr.

Pseudosamanea guachapele is a large tree with a spreading crown, well-formed bole without significant buttresses.

Soil It prefers light to medium textured freely draining neutral soils and has special tolerance to shallow, infertile soils.

Its natural distribution ranges from Mexico to Bolivia (including Venezuela and Surinam). This species is found in drought-deciduous forest and at the drier edges of gallery forest. It occurs at low elevations from 0-800 m, however it has been planted up to an altitude of 1200 m. P. guachapele requires an annual dry season of approximately 4-5 months. It grows well in dry, poor and rocky soils, and even tolerates small fires. This species is unable to tolerate bad drainage or floods, but has been planted successfully in some humid areas.

It has been tried in Egypt, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Mexico, USA and Zambia, where it has produced high amounts of wood biomass across all sites, with a mean woody biomass per tree of 4.05 kg.

Can be propagated vegetatively by stem cuttings. Rooting success rates are increased, 70-100%, in the presence of IBA. After germination in a seedbed, the seedlings may be transplanted either into bags or back to the nursery for the production of bare root and stump plants. In Costa Rica trials indicate that stump plants achieved a higher survival rate and also the best increment in height, in comparison with container plants.

Stand establishment mainly through stump plants, natural regeneration and planting stock. P. guachapele is shade intolerant and requires plenty of light, however seedlings may withstand partial shade in the first two years. If grown in the open this species develops poor form with a short bole and a wide spreading crown. However, if grown at a high density and with artificial pruning during the first four years, it will develop a good bole form.

P. guachapele may be susceptible to defoliation by ants (Atta sp.), which may slow growth. Mocis latipes defoliates mature trees. Umbonia crassicornis is an insect that attacks the shaft and young branches. Nursery seedlings are susceptible to attack by Oncideres sp., Phyllophaga sp., and the larvae of Agrotis sp., and rats (Rattus sp.) sometimes cause bark damage.

There are between 23 000 and 29 000 seeds /kg. The recommended seed pre-treatment methods are either manual scarification or hot water treatment. The seed is immersed in very hot water (90 deg C) for two minutes then transferred to cold water. Seed storage behaviour is orthodox.

Shade or shelter: It has been found appropriate in silvopastoral and agroforestry practices; it is utilised in hedgerows, as a shade tree in pastures, and also in protection areas. Intercropping: Often used for shade in coffee plantations. Nitrogen fixing: P. guachapele is a valuable tree due to its multiple uses, such as the ability to fix nitrogen and soil improvement.

Fodder: Browsed by animals during field trials in Malawi, has high potential as a fodder source. Timber: Heartwood is rated durable to very durable upon exposure to both white-rot and brown-rot fungi, specific gravity 0.55-0.6. Reported to have excellent weathering characteristics. Produces good quality timber with a high proportion of heartwood, widely appreciated within its native range. The wood is moderately durable and finishes well. Used in shipbuilding for planking, ribs, decking, railroad crossties, general construction, flooring, decorative veneers and furniture components. Reported to be somewhat difficult to air season. A moderate rate of drying resulted in some warping and slight checking. Tannin or dyestuff: This species has the capacity to develop a high proportion of heartwood from an early age, which is yellowish-brown and produces a golden dye.