Khaya nyasica (Red mahogany)

A large, fairly fast-growing, evergreen tree, The wood is dark, hard, reddish brown and durable, suitable for furniture, flooring, panelling, and excellent for boat building, moderately heavy (air dry 620 kg/m 3), with an attractive grain. Harvesting begins within 16 years. Popular as a source of firewood and charcoal. Charcoal made from red mahogany wood has a long burning time with a gentle and steady heat. Red mahogany is perfect for using in integrated farming systems for crop production. Leaves and twig litter decomposition improve soil fertility and organic matter status of the soils that lead to an improvement in crop yield output.
Suitable to grow in most soil types, also tolerant of swampy soils. The wood weathers well and is resistant to borers and termites.

A large, extremely fast-growing tree, Balsa wood is the softest of all the hardwood, and super lightweight, one of the lightest varieties of wood available, but remarkably strong, it is considered the strongest wood for its weight in the world, used in model-building, packing, flotation devices, insulation lining for incubators, refrigerators and cold storage rooms, wind turbine blades, table tennis rackets, hobby and craft projects, toys, doll houses, doll furniture, carving and whittling. Balsa wood is lighter than cork and thus ideal for life preservers and lifebelts, wooden crankbaits for fishing, especially Rapala lures and floats for fishing nets and lines. Excellent for making biochar has great water holding capacity. Harvest in 8 to 9 years.
Balsa is a pioneer species that thrives on abandoned land, recommended for the recovery of degraded areas and soil improvements. Fast leaf turnover increases the soil organic matter content. The flowers provide abundant food for bats, birds and several insects. The seed fibre is used as stuffing for mattresses and cushions. In aeronautic modelling, Balsa Wood is very much in demand as it is a perfect wood that can easily withstand crash landings and does not cause any major damage. Valued as a component of full-sized light wooden airplanes.

Paulownia elongata ( Empress Tree)

Extremely fast growing, clusters of showy, fragrant lavender flowers, wood is attractive, strong, lightweight, quick-drying, easily worked and will not split or crack when nailed, Leaves are rich in nitrogen and protein, makes a good fodder for livestock such as goats, sheep, pigs, beef and dairy cattle, Harvest within 8-10 years
Paulownia produce woody biomass for renewable energy, bioethanol, biogas, novel bioplastics, pellets, timber chips and charcoal, protects soil from erosion, wood is used to make furniture, doors, gift boxes, bowls, toys, clogs, handicrafts, musical instruments, used for construction lumber, insulation, plywood and veneer, planes and ship construction, biochar, and leaves are used for fertilizer (green manure), new trees grow from the stumps of felled trees

Toona ciliata/ Cedrela toona (Indian mahogany/Australian red cedar)

A large fast-growing tree, red timber, easy to work and very highly valued. Was referred to as “red gold” by Australian settlers. The wood is used for boat building, high-grade furniture and cabinet making, cigar boxes, matchboxes, decorative plywood and veneer, food containers, interior trim, joinery, musical instruments, ornamental work, panelling, boxes and crates, building materials, exterior uses, millwork, mouldings. Harvesting begins within 14 years. Good for charcoal production and fire wood due to its rapid growth. A fibre obtained from the bark is used for twines and the manufacture of string bags. Leaves are used as a vegetable and also lopped for fodder. Important bee plant for honey production. Good for phytoremediation of areas with herbicide residues and of metal-polluted soils.
Drought tolerant. Fairly good resistance to termites and other timber pests.