The Sandbox Tree.
The Sandbox Tree.
The Sandbox tree has not been among the top ten plants or trees I have come across, but I really don't know why I fell so deeply in love with its name, only to find out that the tree goes by many names. It is also called Monkey no-climb, dynamite tree, possumwood, jabillo, sablier etc...
For us to be on the same page, let's identify this tree as Hura crepitans
Description
The Sandbox tree has a grey bark covered with spikes that are cone-shaped. A good reason why it could be called monkey no-climb. It grows into a big tree with a large canopy that provides shade. It has green leaves with very visible midribs and veins. The flower looks like a bunch of small grapes. Its fruits are green and look like miniature pumpkins till they get dried and become a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
Pray not to be too close when the autochary process of seed dispersal takes place. It comes with a loud explosive sound and the seeds and shrapnel go flying at speeds that can inflict serious injury. If you are caught in the crossfire, take consolation in the fact that you were not the target. The seed had to be flung as far away as possible from the tree so it could grow there.
If the ejected seed or shrapnel from the exploding seed pod does not blind you, the sap that drips from scratched leaves and tree bark would blind you if it gets in contact with your eyes. So if you are under this tree when its seed pod explodes, that is not a good time to look up, though that is often the natural human instinctive response to the rattling leaves that come with the explosion.
What you should do is move away from under the tree because the dropping sap from the tree could cause an angry red rash if it touches your skin.
The Sandbox tree's root, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits are all toxic. Though they are used in some traditional medicine, such usage is beyond the scope of this post. It will be safe and prudent to avoid ingesting any part of this tree. I will not recommend it for landscaping, beautification, or shade.
Less I forget, the tree was named Sandbox based on the fact that its fresh unripe fruits were sawed in two, and the hollow inside was used to store fine sand, which was used for blotting ink before the introduction of blotting papers.
This tree is really not friendly at all; I still wonder why I see a lot of sandbox trees along the road, in schools and in big compounds like this one.
I am inviting the following Steemian to say what they know about this tree, how popular is it where you live? And do you know of any uses of this tree: @alexanderpeace, @ninapenda, @ and @rubee2as1
Media Credit |
|---|
| Composer | @manuelhooks |
|---|---|
| Captured with | GalaxyA15 |
| Date | Sun. 6 April |
| (@) 2025 |
https://x.com/manuelhook41759/status/1909019471559164129
First time am hearing about the teas and all that’s to be avoided about it🤣🤣
I need another posts explaining some of its good uses so as not to add it to my tree hate list🤣🤣🤣
I really wish I had some positive use of the Sandbox tree, something I could post besides the shade it provides. It is said to be useful in traditional medicine but with no room for error.
Looking for something good about the Sandbox Tree is like writing a term paper on the economic importance of mosquitoes.
#realcomments
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I rest my case
I will simply avoid it😂
In many places that they are planted, it is just for the purpose of shade (cover) from extreme hot weather, and since their thorns scare away some birds, and other animals, it serves also as a quiet and conducive environment for reading and meditation. For this reason, some people who fall in love with it's shade , aligned nets hanging around the leaves before the trunk to serve as a protective shield from its explosive mechanism from direct contact with person sitting under it (for a mature tree).
The Sandbox tree is not a friend because only those who do not know it fall in love with its alluring shade. If this is not the tree about whom it was said; "...for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
The Sandbox tree has worked hard, using its defensive mechanism to meet the description of the tree in Genesis. Though it may not be the actual genesis tree, it is only best to keep a safe distance from the Sandbox tree.
I rest my case. I will avoid the sandbox tree in total.
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I have heard so much about this tree, although this is the first time I'm knowing the real name. I still wonder why people have it planted in their compounds since it's this dangerous. I think there must be an advantage about this tree. Maybe you would share with us!
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I had to read a little more about the sandbox tree; it could be the tree in the middle of the garden in that Adam story. Even monkeys will avoid it, and some local people call it "Monkey no climb". Tree care has listed it among the 5 most poisonous trees in the world.
This tree is only useful in the hands of those our uncles you don't tell when you are coming home and will not tell them when you are going back.
#realcomments