Common Name:

General Information

Podocarpus henkelii is an evergreen tree with a very densely branched, conical crown; it can grow 20 - 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 100cm in diameter, becoming fluted and spirally twisted with age[, ].
A valuable timber, it is harvested from the wild for local and commercial use. The tree is often grown as an ornamentl.
Podocarpus henkelii is a rare that occurs in a few widely disjunct locations. Outside South Africa, and especially in Tanzania, it is inferred to be in decline due to over-exploitation and deforestation, both of which are ongoing in the area where it has been collected. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, S. Africa

Habitat

A canopy or emergent tree in montane evergreen rainforest, often on steep, rocky slopes; at elevations from 1,300 - 2,000 metres. Also found in coastal forests near sea level in the south of its range[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Based on data from 11 collection localities, Podocarpus henkelii grows in areas where the mean annual temperature is 16.7°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 6.3°c, and a mean annual precipitation of 900mm. It is able to withstand some frost, tolerating occasional, short-lived temperatures down to between -1°c and +4.4°c[]. A highland forest species that grows best on moist sites with high rainfall and deep doleritic soils[].
Podocarpus henkelii grows best in deep and moist, sandy or loamy soil. It can tolerate less favourable sites, but then grows very slowly[].
Established plants can tolerate some drought[].
In South Africa and Zimbabwe it is commonly planted as an ornamental tree; outside the indigenous region of the species it is often planted in southern California. It is also in cultivation in England and Wales and young trees are offered to the trade from British nurseries[].
Species in this genus are generally slow-growing[].
A dioecious species; both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A valuable timber tree but not common enough to be of major economic importance. The wood is used for construction, carpentry and joinery, as well as furniture making[].

We do not have a specific description for the wood, but the following is a general desciption of Podocarpus wood in Africa:-
The wood is a uniform light yellowish brown with no clear distinction between sapwood and heartwood. It sometimes shows red streaks due to the presence of compression wood. The texture is very fine and even; the grain is straight; growth rings are usually indistinct; resin ducts are absent. The heartwood has low durability and is liable to termite damage as well as other insect attack. The wood dries fairly rapidly with some checking and a pronounced tendency to warp - distortion can be minimized if the timber pile is weighted. Movement in service is rated as small. It is easy to work with hand and machine tools; takes an excellent finish; shapes and turns well; glues easily; it is easy to veneer, has moderate steam- bending properties. The wood is used for general construction, joinery, millwork, furniture components, boxes and crates, food containers, utility plywood[].

Propagation

The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, in a frame[].
Seed collection from this tree is a struggle as the fungal disease black coral spot destroys many of the seeds. The seed that falls during the first 2 - 3 weeks is always highly infested, only the seed collected afterwards is good. The seed is perishable and must be kept in cold storage after collection. Under normal nursery conditions, seed germination takes 2 months. The germination period can be shortened by placing the seed trays on bottom-heated benches[].

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