The dispersal of seed is important for the reproductive success.  While some the fruit of some species are carried by wind, others are dependent on birds.  Two odd species are Schinziphyton rautanenii and Baikiaea plurijuga.

S. rautanenii fruit are comparatively bulky, and have in the past been distributed by Kudu and elephant (Bainbridge 1965).  However, the presence of both species has declined significantly in the communal areas of Namibia, and will therefore not be able to contribute much in the future.  Some seedlings can be seen next to tracks that lead to the individual stands.  These seedlings can probably be attributed to nut collectors who have lost some of the fruit.

The fruit of B. plurijuga is a dehscent pod that opens explosively in low atmospheric humidity (Childes 1989).

The list below provides an indication of the dispersal mechanizms of some species.

Dispersed by wind

Pterocarpus angolensi distributed by wind up to 3km (Vermeulen 1990)
Terminalia sericea (Childes 1989)
Burkea africana (Childes 1989)

Dispersed by Birds

Guibourtia coleosperma is widely distributed by birds such as Hornbills, Glossy Starling and Doves (Calvert 1984)
Ochna pulchra by birds

Other dispersal agents

Schinziophyton rautanenii by kudu or elephant (Bainbridge 1965)
Baikiaea plurijuga pods ripen and dehisce explosively when the atmospheric humidity is low (Childes 1989)