Kigelia africana - Sausage Tree

Does it affect the tree in any way if the fruits are removed... ?
.. and are the fruits useful in any way ?

Terratoonie:

The tree is used medicinally in many ways. If you google it, you can read all about its uses. : >)

Thanks.. That's a good idea :o)

Terratoonie:

Luckily, there's a lot of information on Sausage trees on the internet. : > )

Uses and cultural aspects
In Malawi, roasted fruits are used to flavour beer and aid fermentation. The tough wood is used for shelving and fruit boxes, and dugout canoes are made from the tree in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Roots are said to yield a bright yellow dye. Traditional remedies prepared from crushed, dried or fresh fruits are used to deal with ulcers, sores and syphilis - the fruit has antibacterial activity. Today, beauty products and skin ointments are prepared from fruit extracts. Fresh fruit cannot be eaten - it is said to be a strong purgative, and causes blisters in the mouth and on the skin. Green fruits are said to be poisonous. In time of scarcity, seeds are roasted and eaten.

Terratoonie:

Thanks for all the info. I've read some of this information on the internet. It's very interesting, isn't it?

The small Sausage tree in Balboa Park which I've posted in the past, is located in a medicinal garden.

"The tree is easily propagated from fresh seed sown in river sand in September, or from truncheons...."

I found the above very interesting because I hadn't heard of the word "truncheon" used in this way....

Truncheon...meaning..."A thick cutting from a plant, as for grafting." :o)

Terratoonie:

I'm going to start my seeds in sand and perlite...I hope to start them in a few days when the temps start getting back into the 70's. It's been pretty chilly the last few days here.

Many tropical trees are started by truncheons. It's usually better than small cuttings...less chance of them rotting. Plumeria is a good example of a tree which grows best from truncheons. I know people who have started Plumeria trees from 15 foot/ 4.6 meters cuttings. Bursera simaruba - Gumbo-limbo is another tree which is usually started by massive cuttings.