Shade provider, windbreak and soil improver
Coral trees provide shade and are a valuable winbreak that prevents wind and water erosion. They help maintaining soil moisture under their canopy, and cohesion of the soil. Coral tree is a fast growing N-fixing legume particularly useful for soil enrichment. It nodulates readily and prolifically in both acid and alkaline soils (NFTA, 1993). Coral tree is a good source of organic matter for green manure. The litterfall quickly decomposes and provides nutrients to plants (from 1 to 3% N). In coffee and cocoa plantations, the foliage resulting from pollarding is chopped and provides mulch to the soil (NFTA, 1993).