Description

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.

Characteristics:

Uses:

The roots are used as a treatment for schistosomiasis. The leaves are used in the treatment of diabetes. 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.