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Leucaena
Leucaena leucocephala
A fast-growing, deep-rooted nitrogen-fixing tree native to Mexico/Central America, widely planted in tropical agroforestry for fodder, mulch and alley cropping. Its use has been tempered in some areas by psyllid pest outbreaks and mimosine toxicity if overfed to livestock.
Log in to request a quotation- Family
- Fabaceae
- Tree type
- agroforestry/nitrogen-fixing, fodder
- Mature height (m)
- 5-10
- Growth rate
- fast
- Lifespan (years)
- 20-30
- Native region
- Mexico and Central America
Environment
Growing Conditions
- Climate requirements
- Best suited to lowland and mid-altitude tropics (0-1500m) with 650-3000mm rainfall; frost-sensitive and performs poorly in waterlogged conditions.
- Soil types
- Prefers neutral to alkaline, well-drained soils; grows poorly on strongly acidic soils.
- Water requirements
- Drought tolerant once established due to a deep taproot, though growth slows markedly in prolonged dry spells.
Cultivation
Planting & Care
- Planting guide
- Propagated from scarified seed direct-sown or raised in a nursery; spaced closely (about 0.5m) in fodder hedgerows or wider for shade/timber, classically used in alley cropping with annual crops.
- Care guide
- Coppices vigorously and is cut back regularly for fodder/mulch; regrowth managed to limit pod set and keep leaf quality high.
Phenology
Flowering & Fruiting
- Flowering season
- Largely year-round in tropical conditions
- Fruiting season
- Near year-round, following flowering
Value
Uses & Economic Importance
- Uses
- Fodder (fed in moderation due to mimosine), green manure/mulch for alley cropping, poles, firewood, and shade.
- Economic importance
- Trialed extensively by ICRAF in Kenyan alley-cropping and lowland/coastal agroforestry systems as a nitrogen and fodder source, though largely surpassed by Calliandra in highland dairy areas due to psyllid susceptibility.
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