Forests in Zimbabwe: Brachystegia Savanna Woodland

A group of Musasa trees on a low hill. Image credit flickr.com

• This type of woodland generally covers much of the country’s Highveld, generally lying between 900 and 1 200 metres above sea level.
• Brachystegia is the genus name of the trees found in this woodland.
• An example is Brachystegia spiciformis commonly known as zebrawood, or Msasa, is a medium-sized African tree having compound leaves and racemes of small fragrant green flowers.
• The tree is broad and has a distinctive amber and wine red colour when the young leaves sprout during spring (August-September).
• The main tree species in this area are musasa, munhondo, mupfuti and muunze.
• These trees are the main sources of wood fuel in both the rural and urban areas.
• They burn for a longer time and provide more heat.
• The woodland also provides building materials for houses, pens and for fencing.
• Much of this woodland has been cleared for wood fuel, building materials and expansion of agriculture and settlement land.
• Dense stands of forests however can still be seen in protected forests and commercial farming areas.

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page