Common Name: Okwen

General Information

Brachystegia nigerica is an evergreen tree with a dense, spreading crown; it can grow up to 36 metres tall. The unbuttressed bole can be 100cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is used locally and also exported.
Deforestation and clearance for crops have been comprehensive outside protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - southern Nigeria.

Habitat

High wet forest areas; gregarious near water (stream valley); deciduous woodland; hill slopes[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	28.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is light to dark brown; it is clearly demarcated from the yellow to yellowish brown sapwood. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain usually deeply interlocked, producing a pronounced roe figure; lustre is high. The heartwood is rated as moderately durable. The wood dries rather slowly, with a marked tendency to check and warp; once dry it is fairly stable in service. It is difficult to saw because of gumming of the saw teeth; blunting may be serious; it machines moderately well with good turning characteristics; it is difficult to plane to a smooth surface because of severe tearing of the grain. It is used traditionally for poles in the contruction of huts, and sometimes for purposes such as parquet flooring, decorative veneer, general construction and joinery where high durability is not required[, ].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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