The Curtisia Tree - Family of the dogwood tree
Commonly known as the Assegai tree or Cape lancewood,
This tree gained its alias due to the fact that the Zulu Tribes of South-Africa used the wood of the Curtisia tree to make the shafts of the spears which was of equal importance whether it was used in battle or for everyday hunting, as either situation depended on a strong durable spear head and a straight strong shaft, in order to secure the survival of each individual as well as the Zulu Tribe as a whole.
There were multiple reasons why the Zulu tribe chose to make their arrow shafts from the Curtisia tree. First and foremost, the Curtisia tree supplied a strong durable wood that was known and trusted by the Zulu people whom depended on the Spears as a means to their survival, and fully understood the need for good quality raw materials when making these said arrows.
Another reason would be that this tree was once growing in abundance throughout the whole of South Africa, meaning that the supply of wood that clearly measured up to the Zulu craftsmens' immaculate standards of workman ship, was freely available, and there was a constant supply, this not only meant that the manufacturing of this survival tool could run smoothly due to the fact they didn't have the constant worry of sourcing new supplies of raw material from other trees that has not proven their worth to the tribe in the sense of the valuable key to survival that they held for the Zulu People, it also meant that should a travelling hunter of soldier not be close enough to the comforts of his tribe and in need of a new or replacement spear, he would have the necessary raw materials in his direct proximity to produce one from scratch.
Thirdly, there is also the fact that much of the tree was harvested for its medical uses, (by the Zulu tribes as well as other native African tribes alike) and was considered within the tribe as a great healer plant ,especially when it came to the treatment of ailments such as upset stomachs and diarrhea. It is also known to be used as a reputed aphrodisiac, thus when the harvesters of the Zulu tribe were out collecting what they needed from the tree, they caused intentional damage to the bark and the tree at the base of the main tree trunk, this creates the need for the plant to coppice at its base, thus forming the straight, strong shoots that is known as the cream trunk, used in order to produce the spear shafts. However this also entails a darkened cloud over the survival of the Curtisia tree itself as the over exploitation has led to a drastic decline in this plant species in most areas of South Africa thus rendering this tree as endangered as well as a protected species throughout South Africa.
Other than being a plant that is very commonly grown as an ornamental addition in gardens because of the strikingly beautiful contrasts balanced between its dark leaves and the cream white berry-like fruits that splashes from the fruiting stems of the tree resembling the likes of a bed of stars embraced in a clear and dark summer sky, and all of this stemming from the caramel colored trunk, it is also grown for the wide array of bird life that the dense clusters of small white berries attracts to the garden, during the long bearing period that the berries remain on the tree.
And the even greater attribute of this fruit is its fast-growing ability and hardy nature, that can either be planted on its own in order to grow into a evergreen tree or alternatively planted in a row to create a formidable leafy hedge. and above that the roots of this tree remains none invasive however you plant it, which makes it a great tree to plant close to buildings or walls without having the worries of uprooted foundations or toppled walls, yet the roots are also runs deep making it a plant that can withstand storms and strong winds.
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