Common Name:

General Information

Ocotea kenyensis is an evergreen tree with a much-branched, rounded crown; it usually grows up to 30 metres tall, but exceptionally to 40 metres[, ]. The usually straight bole can be unbranched for around 8 metres; it is up to 100cm in diameter, occasionally to 150cm[].
The tree is commoly harvested from the wild for its valuable timber, which is used locally and also traded. The plant also has local medicinal uses.
The tree yields a superior hardwood, for which is heavily exploited through most of its range. In some areas the populations are very small, e.g., the Zimbabwean population consists of four immature individuals. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Sudan, eastern DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Habitat

A canopy tree in evergreen rainforest at elevations from 1,100 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate to higher elevations in the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,600 metres. The mean annual rainfall in the area of distribution ranges from 1,500 - 2,200mm[].

The tree grows fairly rapidly[].
Trees respond well to coppicing[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A bark decoction is used in traditional medicine as an antitussive[]. The bark is chewed to treat diarrhoea[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is pale golden brown to dark brown, with blackish markings. The grain is often wavy; texture moderately fine; lustrous. The wood is moderately heavy; fairly durable and moderately resistant to termite and marine borer attacks, but susceptible to Lyctus attack. It saws and works satisfactorily with both hand and machine tools, but picking up of grain at the surfaces may occur; sharp cutting edges are recommended to obtain surfaces with a nice finish; gluing properties are satisfactory; the wood slices and peels well. The heartwood is moderately resistant to impregnation by preservatives. The wood is used for flooring, panelling, furniture and carving. It is suitable for light construction, joinery, interior trim, vehicle bodies, handles, ladders, sporting goods, toys, novelties, turnery, veneer and plywood[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - needs to be sown when fresh. The seed is sensitive to desiccation, but can be stored for a short period in moist sawdust[].
Propagation by root suckers is easy; these are often produced abundantly[].

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