Species information
This tree is highly sought after by animals, which consume the leaves, flowers and young shoots. It is one of the most valued fodders by cattle, goats, sheep and camels in eastern Kenya (Anttila et al., 1993). The browse provided is very rich in protein. The trees withstand repeated browsing (Toutain, 1980). Annual forage production ranges from 150 to 600 kg DM/ha with an average of 45-60 kg protein/ha (Le Houérou, 1980).
It is reported to be more digestible than Leucaena leucocephala for goats and sheeps, and it is recommended to supplement chopped sorghum with dried leaves of this shrub (Bosma et al., 1995). A diet with 30% dried leaves of Combretum aculeatum was as digestible as one supplemented with agro-industrial by-products and allowed the absorption of more OM, especially by goats (Bosma et al., 1997). In Niger, Oudah rams fed on poor quality forage who could browse Combretum aculeatum foliage during 60 or 120 minutes a day had higher overall DM intake. However, the digestibility of red bush willow was lower than that of control and the animals allowed to browse Combretum aculeatum had decreased herbage intake, live weight gain than animals fed on controls or browsing Ziziphus mauritiana. These results could be explained by the high level and the nature of tannins contained in Combretum aculeatum foliage (Sangaré et al., 2003).