| DESCRIPTION: It is an evergreen tree reaching up to 36-45 m in height with a spreading crown and stem diameter of 1.25-9.5 m. Bole straight, slightly fluted, buttressed at the base, unbranched for 9-15 m. Leaves opposite (alternate on sucker shoots), simple, elliptic to elongate-ovate or almost round, 4-16.5 cm long and 2.5-9 cm wide. USE: The heartwood is light yellowish-brown, darkening to a deep brown on exposure; sapwood slightly paler, not clearly demarcated. It can be used for furniture, railway-coach frames, joinery, panelling, building poles and the production of veneer. Also a good source of firewood and charcoal. Bark or roots are pounded, water added and the resulting paste applied on swellings such as those on the throat and other tumours. Malaria and backache are treated using juice obtained from roots that have been pounded and soaked in water. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: East African camphor wood. FURTHER INF: The tree is distributed throughout East Africa and common in wetter mountain forests. Where it occurs naturally, there is a distinct dry season of 2-3 months, but with mist or clouds present throughout the year. It is found mainly in Kenya and Tanzania and sparsely in Uganda. It prefers deep, fertile soils with good drainage. |