Schotia afra var. afra seed is easy to collect. One has only to look a few metres away from the parent plants to see the masses of flat, light brown seeds lying on top of the soil.

Use flat plastic or wooden seed pans (seed trays). Sow in a semi-shady area (about 40% shade). Seeds should sown in well-drained, loamy soil. The general rule for the sowing depth is the same as the thicknessof the seed (about 3-5mm). Sow the seeds in late spring, September till mid-October. Water well once a day. Make sure the seeds are not crowded in the pan (this should prevent damping off). The seeds will swell with moisture and should germinate within 7 days. The seedlings should be allowed to develop a tap root and be in their third set of leaves before they are transplanted into planting bags. If they are given enough water and are planted in a rich, well-drained soil, they will develop rapidly.

Tips for planting in the home garden: dig a good hole, 1 m wide by 1 m deep. Use plenty of well-rotted compost and good loam soil in the hole. Add a handful of agricultural lime, super phosphate and 2:3:2 to the soil. Mix it all up well. Plant the sapling. Water well once a week, especially if conditions are dry. Stake the tree to stop wind damage. Under ideal conditions you should be able to sit under the tree within five years.

Watch for aphids/greenfly attacking the new foliage, especially in spring. Spray with a recommended approved aphicide at least once a week for three weeks to break the insects' life cycles, or use environmentally friendly Sunlight liquid soap; about 10 ml in 5 litres water will suffice. Spray liberally on affected parts.