Leadwood trees get protection:

The leadwood tree gets protection in the Okavango Delta where its qualities are hightly prized.

A trip to the Okavango Delta before the waters come down from Angola means lots of walking, rather than travelling in a mokoro (dugout canoe). Walking on charred ground in an area known for its water felt strange. Fires built to flush bees out so that honey can be gathered, fires for cooking, fires for warmth at night and to keep the wildlife out of the camp get out of control.

What impact does burning have on the balance of the delta ecosystem? Water will be arriving in a month or two, guaranteed by the flooding in the north, so the fast growing plants will recover.

But what of the trees? Home to many of the animals of the area, trees are being lost to these accidents as well as to cooking and heating fires. The biggest concern is the loss of leadwood (Combetum imberbe). These trees can live for several thousand years but they grow very slowly. They are valued as firewood, as they burn slowly with very intense heat. They are also termite resistant, a big asset for building in the bush.

This year there is a ban on cutting leadwood in the Okavango. Like the redwoods, these trees need to be protected so they can continue to play their role in this unique ecosystem.