Resilient, vigorously growing, small tree with a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter. It can reach a height of 30 cm. Grows well on poor soils. The species is native to the savannas of Papua New Guinea, the islands of the Torres Strait, and the northern areas of Australia. It has been successfully propagated in Indonesia and Malaysia.Large fuelwood plantations have been established in Indonesia. The species is well suited for fuelwood, with a high specific gravity (0.6-0.75) and a calorific value of 4,800-4,900 keel per kg. The wood yield excellent charcoal that glows well and burns without smoke or sparks. The trees do not coppice well unless cut 50 cm above the ground. Cut over stands regenerate rapidly. The tree grow quickly even in unmanaged plots on poor soils. In Papua New Guinea, trees grew to 6 m in 2 years, with a diameter of 5 cm. The species is also a good source of pulpwood, and provides shade.
Lead Tree Care
Leucaena Leucocephala
humidity
Normal
lighting
Full Sun
temperature
min -6°C
hardiness zone
9 - 12
difficulty
Medium
toxicity
Poisonous
How to Care for the Plant
Water
It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Sunlight
It cannot grow in the shade
Soil
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils.
Temperature
It grows best with a mean annual temperature in the range 25 - 30°c and a mean annual rainfall of 650 - 3,000mm. For optimal growth it is limited to areas 15 - 25° north or south of the equator
Additional
The leaves of most forms of this plant contain the unusual amino acid mimosene. In large quantities this can be harmful. There are low-mimosene cultivars
Popularity
721 people already have this plant 110 people have added this plant to their wishlists
Discover more plants with the list below
Popular articles
