Forest Products, Livelihoods and Conservation

154 The woodcarving industry in Kenya

conditions, seed germination is enhanced under conditions with little or no

forest floor litter. Areas with substantial litter require unusually high amounts

of rainfall for successful germination, conditions which rarely occur naturally

and which would require human intervention in order to maximise the

recruitment potential.

Azadirachta indica

The use of Azadirachta indica for woodcarving is a fairly recent phenomenon.

The wood was discovered accidentally as other favourable species were

getting more difficult to obtain. The climatic conditions along the Kenyan

coast are well suited to the growth of the species and Azadirachta indica is

now widely spread in the region^5. Azadirachta indica, an open pollinated

tree species, has high abundance, fast growth and high regeneration within

the study area. It offers excellent prospects for sustainable utilisation and support

to the woodcarving industry. It is naturally dispersed by birds, animals and humans,

making it an important vegetation component on farmlands, private compounds

and cemeteries within the study area. It is widely regarded as a weed because of

its profuse regeneration particularly in disturbed areas where food crops are

grown. A recent survey and inventory of Azadirachta indica along the coast showed

mature tree densities varying between six trees per hectare and 0.2 trees per

hectare as well as high recruitment potential ranging from over 1,000 seedlings

per hectare to 100 seedlings per hectare (Choge and Mbuvi unpublished).

(Azadirachta indica)

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