Cussonia spicata different regions, different uses

This Cussonia spicata tree has so far achieved more height than body. The advantage is that it will not be denied the available sunlight by what grows close by. Steep rocky slopes here in the Kouga Valley present safe havens for trees taking their time over adding wood. In the warmer and water rich parts of its distribution range little encouragement is needed, the tree grows fast. The Kouga has cold winters and moderate to low rainfall. It progresses slower here than in the subtropical and tropical parts of its range to the north, countries like DRC and Kenya, or as far as Ethiopia and Somalia. 

The wood is light in mass as well as colour, coarse while comparatively soft. It has been used for making mole traps, hollowed trunks used as beehives and crafted as feeding troughs or trays. The wood is good for shaping, not structural work. The roots, although poisonous, are known to have been eaten in famine times after being macerated; also used medicinally, including for treating malaria. The leaves are good fodder for stock. The tree is planted in gardens where frost isn’t heavy.

Here in the Kouga C. spicata may be left alone by all but photographers, goats and game (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iNaturalist; https://sites.google.com; https://pza.sanbi.org).