Karkara is a Hausa word that describes such vagetation zone as the one surrounding the settlements within the immediate vicinity of the Birni and its environs. It is an area of permanent cultivation with useful trees scattered over a large expanse of land. A good description of the Karkara can be glanced from Clapperton’s report when he visited Zaria in the nineteenth century as follows: … within about 4 or 5 miles of Zaria, the country becomes altogether clear of wood: except a patch here and there, all was in pasture, or planted with rice, millet and daura. Herds of beautiful cattle were feeding in the valleys, or lying chewing the cud on the higher grounds. Zaria is known by its tall trees, like long avenue of gigantic poplars (rimi) running across the horizon from north to south, stretching from the south end of one detached mount to the end of another. The most common trees associated with the Karkara in the Zaria area are the locust bean trees dorawa (parkia clappertoniana), kuka (Adonsonia digitata), tsamiya (tamarindus indica), rimi (ceiba petandra), durumi (ficus polita), chediya (ficus thoninga), and giginya (Borassus flabely). These trees are commonly associated with human habitations. In other words the presence of these trees in clusters is indicators of early occupation sites. Their presence on the plains of Zaria is attributable to their economic value for the people of the area. For instance the seeds of dorawa were utilized in the preparation of popular food seasoning locally known as daddawa, which formed an important trade commodity with states such as Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and as far as Borno. While the husk of its fruits was used in the plastering (dabe) of mud buildings and in the construction of walls, the yellowish pulp was eaten directly after opening the pod of the fruit. Its bark was also utilised in the treatment of diseases as well as in tanning of leather. The leaves of kuka (boabab) were used in the preparation of nutritious soup locally known as miyan kuka. Rimi trees produce fibres that were used for making local clothes, pillows, cushions and mattresses. The wood of the tree was used for making canoes and for military purposes such as lifidi (quilted armour for horses). Apart from these the rimi trees also served some strategic military functions. They were used as spy posts against the approach of enemies. Another important economic tree was the giginya tree. Almost every part of it was of utilitarian value. The stem of the tree was cut into pieces to make azara (a termite proof beam) used in roofing. This was because of its stiffness and its ability to withstand attacks from insects and decays. The fruit was eaten and the seeds were planted to get tubers known as muruchi, while the fronds were used in making ropes and baskets. The fruit of tsamiya was used in the preparation of food and for medicinal purposes. It was also a host to one of the wild silkworms (tsutsar tsamiya), which was of great economic value because of the silk fibres it produces which was important in the production of expensive thread known as zaren tsamiya useful in embroidery. The dinya (vitrox donniana) is used in making madi and alewa (local sweet). While the tree was useful for keeping of beehives, its leaves were used for making local ink known as tawada. The wood like that of dorawa and tsamiya are useful in making agricultural and household implements such as hoes (fartanya), axes (gatari), mortars (turmi), pestles (tabarya), and stools (kujeru). Dabino (phoenix dactilifera), gwanda (corica papaya) and melon (citrullus vulgaris) were utilized as fruits. Lalle, a plant belonging to the lythraccae family of the henna of the Arabs lawsonia inermis was used to dye the hands, palms, and finger nails by women. It is said that a ward (Anguwan Lalle) in Birnin Zaria derived its name because of the preponderance of lalle in the area. The Bagaruwa tree was used for leather tanning, while Kore (lergenaris vulgaris) was employed in the production of household utensils in the form of durable and light bowls and bottles. The kuka (boabab), tsamiya (trimindus) and rimi (silk cotton) trees occupied a significant place in the religious belief of the people of the Zaria area. These trees were believed to be the habitat of iskoki (spirits). This was true of other states of Hausa land especially Katsina and Kano. In Birnin Zaria, the rimaye located in the northwest around the gate of Kofar Jatau were also associated with great iskoki. There is also a ward known as Rimin Danza inside Zaria, which was believed to have been a centre of religious worship from the earliest time of the history of the kingdom. The name of the kingdom Zazzau was reputed to have been named after the sword manufactured by a great blacksmith known as Danzau. He was engaged in blacksmithing under a rimi tree popularly known as Rimin Danza. The cultivation of soil and the preponderance of economic trees that have some economic and religious significance are indications of the close material and spiritual bond uniting the Zazzagawa to the environment and ecology of Kasar Zazzau.

This is the next vegetation belt after the karkara. It is made up of fallow land where cultivation had ceased temporarily in order to allow the soil to regain its fertility. The most common vegetation in this saura zone are bushes, shrubs and grasses, which consisted mostly of kadanya ( shea butter), ciwo (thebeica), kaba (palm frond), sabara, kanya (Diospyos mespiliformis), adduwa (Balanites aegyptica), kurna (Ziziphus spina Christi), gawo (acacia), magarya (Ziziphus jujuba), kalgo (Bauhinia thonningii), and various type of grasses. These trees are of immense economic importance to the people of Zaria. For example the kadanya was utilized as cooking fat, illumine, medicinal ointment, hair dresser and soap. Ciwo was eaten as fruit, while kaba was used to make ropes and mats and as source of firewood. The leaves of sabara were utilized in the preparation of medicine for the treatment of such ailment as, bilhazia, and stomach-related complaints and as prophylactic against leprosy. The seeds of kanya were eaten as fruits. The adduwa fruits were mixed with flour to make adduwa cakes. Kurna tree had berries that were eaten dried. Acacia was employed to make ink and dye. Magarya or ‘’jijjube’’ was used for medicinal purposes, while kalgo, geza and other scrubs were used for firewood. The existence of abundant grasses in the saura provided excellent pasture for grazing of animals such as cattle and sheep by both farmers and nomadic Fulani. Apart from serving as pastures the various grasses were also used for making jinka (thatch roof), zana (used as curtains and for fencing), kyauro (arrow), for local pens and light brooms. Some of the major grasses are gamba (Andropogon guyanus), gude- gude, harkiya and tofa (imperata sp.).

• Daji is used to refer to a bushy or grassy area that is far removed from a permanent settlement. It is usually made up of re-generated Savannah woodland, which harbours numerous games and spirits (iskoki). The daji contains other assorted types of trees of economic significance that were exploited by the people of Zazzau. The typical trees of this belt include: doka (isoberlina doka), madachi (khaya senegalensis), kadanya (Butryspermum parkia), marke (Annogeissus schinpen) and scattered tukurwa (rhapia trees). The people of Zaria were able to exploit these natural resources from the earliest period to satisfy their needs. For instance the Daji provided an area of uncultivated land suitable for animal grazing and hunting. Through these activities, the people of Zaria obtained the following: meat, skin, the hides of Buffalo and other large animals for shield (garkuwa), sandals, saddliers, and containers, feathers, horns, animals’ dung, for charms and other medicinal purposes and elephant tusk for ivory. The people of Zazzau also exploited other natural resources and economic trees that were available in the Daji. These included kiriya wood that was used by iron smelters as fuel in their furnaces. Sansani was used for charms and a number of curative and preventive preparations. The maje (Dannelles oliveri) was utilized in the preparation of items for domestic use. These included hoes and knives handles, mortar and pestle, stool and other things.