A Review on Tree Species Suitability for Wood Fuel in Kilimanjaro Region

Abstract

Wood energy provides 92% of Tanzania’s national energy needs. Wood is the standard cooking fuel for the majority of Tanzanian households and also an important energy source for small-scale rural industries. This paper focuses on suitability of tree species as wood-fuel in Kilimanjaro region mainly through literature review. Results show that when choosing wood for heat energy production, wood moisture content and basic density have to be considered as they affect amount of available heat per unit volume of fuel (calorific value).  The moisture content or any water in the wood has to boil away before the wood will burn, and this will reduce the net energy released as useful heat. Hardwood species are generally denser than softwood species and dense woods will burn for longer than less dense woods. For the purpose of this paper, wood basic density was used as a criterion for selecting tree species suitable for wood fuel in Kilimanjaro region.  The study has revealed that Acacia xanthophloea, Eucalyptus maidenii, Cordia africana, Casuarina equisetifolia, Terminalia superba, Senna siamea, Bauhinia petersiana, Azadirachta indica, Albizia versicolar and Ficus benjamina are among the tree species suitable for wood fuel in Kilimanjaro by having higher basic density than 500kg/m³.  It is recommended that the suitable tree species for wood-fuel uses should be raised and managed by villagers in order to have enough stock for planting. Establishment of demonstration plots for suitable trees for wood fuel in Kilimanjaro region is also recommended.