Common Name: Silver Oak

General Information

Silver oak is a large, fairly fast-growing, evergreen tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall[]. The bole has a diameter of up to 85cm under favourable conditions, though the fluted and often curved bole makes it difficult to obtain large dimensions of timber[].
The wood is highly valued, especially as a fuel and for carving statues etc. It is commonly harvested from the wild. The tree grows quite quickly on good soils and is often planted as an ornamental around dwellings in Kenya[, ].
The tree has been much overexploited for its wood in the past[]. Increased logging in Mozambique poses a new threat. It has been classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern and southern tropical Africa - Kenya to S. Africa and Angola.

Habitat

Locally common in coastal and dune forest, also in inland deciduous woodland, gully and kloof forests On rocky granite or quartzite outcrops. At low to medium altitudes[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropical and subtropical areas of eastern and southern Africa, where it is found at elevations from 150 - 2,000 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 25°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,200mm, but tolerates 700 - 1,400mm[].
Requires a well drained soil and a position in full sun[]. Prefers deep, well developed, red, volcanic clayey loams in plateau forests and red soils in the coastal belts[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are used as a treatment for schistosomiasis[[].

The leaves are used in the treatment of diabetes[].

Other Uses

An essential oil distilled from the wood has a pleasant, vetiver-like perfume[, ]. It is the source of Muhugu oil, recommended for soap, perfumery and as a fixative in perfumery[].

The pale yellow to pale brown wood is scented somewhat like sandalwood, straight grained with conspicuous growth rings, with a characteristic storeyed structure[]. The wood is notable for its high durability in the soil and resistance to fungal and insect attack[]. For example, it is resistant to the marine borer or shipworm, Teredo navalis[]. Its texture is very fine, even, strong and stiff, it is hard to work but does turn and work well with sharp tools[]. It takes a high polish, but splits easily along the grain[]. Its failure in bending, however, is sudden and complete[]. It is used in flooring, furniture and joinery. Due to its durability, it is often used as fence posts[]. In Kenya, it is a favourite wood for carving artefacts[, ].
During the first two decades of the 19th century, this wood was the main fuel for Kenya. It was also exported as short logs to India as an inferior substitute for sandalwood for use in cremations[]. It is suitable for charcoal because of its high density, and is exploited for this in Kenya[].

Propagation

Normally propagated by seed[]. Seeds from fruits collected only 7 days after the maturation of the buds will germinate[].
Seed storage behaviour is uncertain; viability is lost within 6 months in open storage at room temperature[].

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