Leucaena
Leucaena leucocephala
HighSecondary
Fast biomassProductionNitrogen fixer
A phenomenal nitrogen-fixing fodder and biomass tree — fast, generous and endlessly coppiceable. But it's one of the world's most invasive trees and toxic to non-ruminant livestock, so handle with real care.
Tolerances & traits
- Strata
- High
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Loam, Rocky
- Soil pH range
- 5.5 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -2°C
- Min. rainfall
- 600 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- Medium
- Frost tolerance
- Low
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
How to manage it
Very fast nitrogen-fixing fodder and biomass tree; coppice hard and often for mulch and animal feed, and remove seed pods before they scatter to limit spread.
Watch out for
One of the world's worst invasive trees (CABI/GISD listed) - seeds prolifically and naturalises fast. Foliage contains mimosine, toxic to non-ruminant livestock (horses, pigs, poultry). Frost-tender when young.
Design your line to see how your land fits Leucaena.
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