There has been some confusion between Podocarpus milanjianus and Podocarpus latifolius, both of which are treated here as distinct species.. Podocarpus latifolius is usually considered to be endemic to S. Africa, whilst Podocarpus milanjianus is native to large areas of tropical Africa. However, in some treatments Podocarpus latifolius is said to have a very wide range which includes the range of Podocarpus milanjianus in tropical Africa as well as its own range in subtropical S. Africa - in these treatments Podocarpus milanjianus is given as a synonym of Podocarpus latifolius.
We have attempted to separate the uses of the two species here (they are very similar) but the description of the wood is likely to contain elements of both species[].

Common Name: Broad-leaved Yellowwood

General Information

Podocarpus latifolius is an evergreen tree with a dense, narrow-branched crown that can grow up to 35 metres tall, though at higher altitudes it is more likely to be a shrub or small, stunted tree or shrub no more than 2 metres tall[, ]. The bole, which is usually straight and cylindrical, is up to 150cm in diameter, occasionally reaching 300cm, sometimes with buttresses at base[, ]. It can be branchless for up to 10 metres, occasionally for 20 metres[]
The tree provides a valuable wood that is traded commercially,and also has minor local food uses. It is grown as an ornamental and roadside tree, having a characteristic appearance with its conical shape and bright green glossy leaves[].
The reduction in area of occupancy (AOO) and/or mature trees due to logging that occurred on an extensive scale in the past cannot be accurately quantified but is very likely to have been quite substantial. Despite this, the species has a very large extent of occurrence (EOO) and is recovering in most areas because heavy logging has ceased. It has been classified as being of 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - S. Africa

Habitat

A canopy tree in coastal to montane primary forests. In open coastal bushland and on dry, rocky mountain slopes it only grows to a stunted tree a few meters tall at most; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

In tropical areas the tree is found mainly at elevations of 900 - 3,200 metres, though it descends to sea level in the subtropics[]. It prefers an annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm and a mean annual temperature of 9 - 19°c[]. Older plants can withstand light frosts, though young plants are damaged or killed[].
Prefers a moist but well-drained, deep, fertile soil, growing better where there is a mulch of organic matter on the soil[, ]. Plants grow well in full sun but are also fairly shade tolerant[, ]. Plants are susceptible to drought[].
Studies in South Africa showed that natural regeneration of Podocarpus latifolius is abundant, especially in small and medium-sized gaps in the forest[].
Growth is slow under natural conditions; for trees with bole diameters between 10cm and 90cm, mean diameter increment is 2 - 3mm/year. In cultivation the growth rates are usually also quite low, but they depend on soil fertility and available water. For 32-year-old trees in Rwanda a height growth of 30 - 56cm/year has been recorded, and a diameter growth of 4 - 13 mm/year[].
Young trees up to pole size can be coppiced. In larger trees the branches become drooping, and some pruning is often practised[]. In natural forest in the southern Cape region of South Africa, trees are selectively harvested under a felling cycle of 10 years, and selected according to externally visible criteria of maturity[].
Trees 8 - 10 metres tall may already bear fruit[].
Bee nests are often found in hollows on the tree[].
This species is the national tree of South Africa[].
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

Fruit - raw[, , ]. The fleshy receptacle is 8 - 18 mm long, glaucous green turning pink to reddish purple or blackish purple when ripe[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is pale yellowish brown, and not demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is straight, occasionally spirally; the texture fine and even. Reddish streaks of compression wood may be present. Resin is absent, and the wood has no distinctive odour[]. The wood is moderately lightweight; resistant to acids but not durable; easy to saw and work with machine and hand tools, having little dulling effects on cutting edges[]. It can be planed to a smooth finish; has a tendency to split upon nailing and so pre-boring is recommended; it holds screws well but requires support in drilling and mortising because of its brittleness[]. The gluing, painting, varnishing and staining properties are moderately good. Steam bending gives moderate results, but turning properties are good. The peeling and slicing properties are good; good-quality but brittle veneer can be produced from the wood[]. The wood of trees from Sudan has a high lignin content and was found difficult to pulp[].
The wood, often traded as ‘podo’, is highly valued for furniture and ship building, but it is also used for poles, panelling, boxes, veneer and plywood. It is popular for making butchers’ blocks because it is fairly hard, without scent, and does not chip easily. It is suitable for construction, flooring, joinery, interior trim, vehicle bodies, railway sleepers, toys, novelties, agricultural implements, musical instruments, coffins, food containers, vats, carving, pattern making, matches, turnery, hardboard and particle board, and is considered a high-quality pulpwood[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - fresh seeds should be cleaned and sown within 4 days in a mixture of well-rotted compost and washed sand. They germinate in 1 - 2 months, and the germination rate is up to 80%[]. Cracking of the seed coat has been recommended to speed up germination[]. When transplanting, care should be taken not to damage the taproot[]. The seedlings should be well watered. It is usually recommended to plant in shade and not in the full light, but in a test in South Africa seedlings grown without shade showed the best growth[]. Wildlings are sometimes also collected for planting[].
Seeds can be stored in a cold store for up to 1 year without losing much of their germination capacity, but moisture loss should be avoided[]. Seeds stored in perforated polyethylene bags with damp sawdust showed a germination rate of 72% after one year[].

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