Abstract:

Shea-butter tree is a light demanding species of open sites and range land savannah. The tree can extensive areas (pure stands), but commonly grows with other trees. Its extensive root system is essential for surviving in the 5 to 7 month dry seasons of savannah climates. The tree can withstand quite severe bush fires. It is found in areas ranging from 100 to 600 metres above sea level, with mean annual rainfall of 600 to 1400 mm, and mean annual temperature of 25 to 29oC. It prefers dry and sandy clay soils with a good humus cover, but also tolerates stony sites. Vitellaria paradoxa is an indigenous tree in Uganda, and commonly occurs in North Eastern, Northern and North Western parts of the country. The tree is also found in other many parts of Africa including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d'Ivore, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan and Togo.