In this article, I will be discussing my small research about a tree in which every part of it, has economic value or are useful.
This research was carried out in a small village in the eastern part of Nigeria. umuopkara, Umulolo Okigwe Imo State, Nigeria, West Africa.
Oil Palm Tree
Oil Palm Tree with its fruit.
OVERVIEW OF THE SUBJECT MATTER
Oil palm tree which has Elaeis guineensis as its botanical name is mostly found in Africa and belongs to the palm family, botanically named Arecaceae. The main reason for its cultivation is for the production of Palm oil also known as Red oil. The oil palm is mostly grown in West and Central Africa, in addition to some Esian countries. Palm oil, obtained from the fruits, is used in making soaps, cosmetics, biofuels among other things.
THE PARTS AND THEIR USEAGE
- The Stem: Oil Palm tree has single stem and a fully grown one can get up to 60 feet or more.
The Stem
The Palm Oil stem in some localities in Nigeria are use in setting up fire for cooking food. in rural areas where Gas burner, stove ,electric stove and other modern means of cooking is not available, oil palm stem also serve as firewood for making food.
- The Frond: the frond serves multiple purposes especially locally.
- used in feeding domestic animals like goats.
Goats feeding on the palm frond
- Can serve as firewood when dried.
firewood ready for use
- Use in protecting fence made of mood.
- Use in making Broom.
- The Palm kernel: the Palm kernel is used in making palm kernel oil which is use in treating some forms of sicknesses in Africa.
- The chaff(fiber) and the residual water: these two are mixed together to produce fiber candle. it is a local made candle used in setting up fire or for seeing at night.
chaff
the contents of the two images above when mixed, produces the picture you see bellow.
fiber candle or local candle
see how it works below
Please if there are other uses you feel like I didn't mention here, please feel free to mention that here so that readers will have a comprehensive knowledge of the tree.
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