Vachellia xanthophloea trunk

The trunk of an old Vachellia xanthophloea tree will have dark patches where the normal wear and tear of life have touched. The large specimen in picture displays its share of such events among the fluting that may appear on vigorous lower growth over time. Such lesions of the pale greenish yellow bark may persist for life.

Dark pieces of dead wood may also be noticed higher up on old fever trees. This species discards most of the lower branches as it increases height under the sparse crown. As fever trees tend to grow in groups, even forests, the prevailing inclination is upwards towards the sun; sideways growth being interfered with by the competition. Solitary trees will spread branches and widely too (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Carr, 1976).