THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 323 



of over 12 feet, and the bole is straighter and considerably 

 taller than most of the Khayas. 

 Pseudocedrela Kotschyii. Dry-zone Cedar. Hard Cedar Mahogany. 

 Emi gbegeri (Yoruba, Ibadan). 



It is found in groups and isolated specimens in the Ibadan 

 province of Nigeria, in the dry-zone forest and at the edge 

 of the mixed deciduous areas, more especially in the Olokemeji 

 Forest. With its somewhat regularly fissured bark, showing a 

 criss-cross pattern, it is distinguishable from the other dry-zone 

 trees. The silvery pinnate leaves in tufts and the charred 

 base of the stem, combined with the grey trunk, all help to 

 identify it. The little mahogany-like capsule, covered with 

 silvery hairs when unripe, is another feature. When these 

 burst open, leaving the empty capsule on the tree for a time, 

 there is no doubt about its being of the Mahogany family. 

 In the distance the grey, almost silvery-coloured bark makes 

 it stand out as compared to others such as Dwarf Ironwood 

 or the Shea Butter Tree. Reaching a girth of about 6 feet 

 and a bole length of 25 feet, it is one of the largest drj'-zone 

 trees. 



The sapwood is pinkish-red, when fresh, and the heartwood 

 a rich red-brown, darkening slightly on exposure to the light. 

 It is harder than mahogany and heavier. The grain is closer 

 and on the whole finer, but with a similar sheen. It often shows 

 a little figure. It saws well, planes smoothly, takes nails, and 

 has a good appearance in the plank. It is said to be termite- 

 proof. It is considerably stronger than mahogany. 



Somewhat slow-growing, even from naturally growing 

 root suckers, it is a light-loving tree, giving scarcely enough 

 shade to protect the soil. In its youth it is a soil -improving 

 tree. Natural regeneration is poor, root suckers being the 

 strongest form of reproduction. It sprouts slightly from the 

 stump, but not sufficiently for reproduction of a crop. A fair 

 crop of seeds is found each year, but Usually, owing to grass- 

 fires, much of this is destroyed. Plantations are being made, 

 but natural growth has been encouraged in places, and gives 

 further promise of better gro\vth. 



It has not been exported, but it is occasionally felled for 

 local use. It is one of the most valuable trees of the dry 

 zone. 

 Entandrophragma utilis. Short-capsuled Mahogany, Sapeli or 

 Heavy Mahogany. Ijebbo, Jebu, Ashuwole, Papala (Yoruba) ; 

 Ogipogo, Ubilesan Onamakyuku, Plekkog© (Benin) ; Eplekgo 

 (Jekri) ; Edem (Efik) ; Atori (Oban, Ekoi). 



This tree is found in the evergreen and mixed forests of 



