Soil improver
When the baobab sheds its leaves during the dry season, this enriches the soil by enhancing soil moisture and organic matter content. Decaying wood of baobab that has died of old age may be used as fertilizer. The ashes from shells, bark and seeds are rich in K and also useful fertilizers (Orwa et al., 2009).
Shade
The tree can be grown for shade (Ecocrop, 2011; ICUC, 2002).
Biodiversity
The hollow trunks of baobab are ideal nesting sites for birds such as rollers, hornbills, parrots and kestrels while their branches welcome eagles, vultures and storks nests (ICUC, 2002).
Water storage
Baobabs play a vital role in water storage in the drier areas: the hollowed trunk may be carved out in 3-4 days and may contain and hold up to 7 m3 water. The water can remain several years within the trunk if it is kept sealed (Orwa et al., 2009).
Fire and water stress resistance
The baobab is a pioneer species: it can withstand extreme drought and it is suitable on degraded lands where other species cannot survive (ICUC, 2002). Its thick and fibrous bark is remarkably fire resistant, and the tree continues to live and regrows even if its interior is completely burnt out.