Kiambu county farmers have been advised against planting conifer family trees on their farms because they interfere with fertility.
The trees like pine and cypress add acidity to the soil killing microorganisms that decompose organic matter.
This is according to Kiambu Sub-County forest officer, Mr James Thairu who says that conifer tree leaves are acidic and when they are shed from the branches form a cover on the ground and decay to produce an acidic medium that hinders growth and multiplication of microorganisms.
Speaking to Hivisasa on Thursday, Thairu said that many people do not understand why no vegetation grows around conifer trees. He says some ignore it plant even more trees because of their beauty.
“We have farmers who opt to grow conifer for its threadlike leaves which many claim to add aesthetic value. This is not the case when you look at the chemical content of the tree. Its leaves produce acid and kills micro-organisms in the soil.” He said.
He thus advised farmers to avoid the trees saying it had the potential to lower their production and even increase their cost of production.
"It will force farmers to purchase more basic compounds to neutraliSe the acidic effect," he said.
He thus asked farmers to liaise with his office for advice on trees that would complement their farming. He proposed alternative tree species such as the yellowwood, fever tree and the moringa.