THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 373 



Combretum mucronatum. Okan pupa (Yoruba). 



It is found in the Mamu Forest. 

 Combretum Zenkeri. Ogan (Yoruba). 



It is found in the Yoruba country. 

 Combretum micranthum. Okan (Yoruba). 



It is found in the Yoruba country. 

 Combretum glutinosum. 

 Combretum paucinervium. 

 Combretum Hartmannium. 



These are climbing Combretums found in the Yoruba 

 country. 

 Anogeissus leiocarpus (G. and P.). Yoruba Chew-stick. Ayin 

 (Yoruba). 



Distribution. — It is found in the Oyo and Abeokuta provinces 

 of Nigeria. 



Chief Characteristics. — This tree reaches a height of about 

 70 feet in favourable localities and a girth of 9 feet. With 

 its birch-like foliage and the drooping and sweeping of the 

 pendulous branches in old age, it is certainly the " Lady " 

 of the African " open woods." The little spherical fruits cover 

 the ground in the early part of the dry season. The com- 

 paratively smooth bole, giving way to small scales of light- 

 brown bark as the tree gets older, is a typical feature. It is 

 often forked, especially low down. The bole is thin and slender 

 in build, with upward tending branches, also very slender in 

 build, but dark in colour. A blackish gum exudes when it 

 is cut. The slash is yellow before the gum runs out. 



Timber. — The sapwood is yellowish-white and the heart- 

 wood dark-brown to almost black in some specimens. It is 

 hard, durable and termite-proof. It does not plane nor split 

 well, takes nails with difficulty, but saws fairly easily. 



Silvicultural Qualities. — It is a light-loving species, though 

 in its youth it will stand a little shade. It is one of the first 

 trees to appear on disused land, so long as the soil is good. 

 Its foliage is a little acid, as it kills all grass, even Ekon, and 

 for this purpose is invaluable as a tree for admixture with 

 more valuable species. It is somewhat exacting as to soil. 



Once it gets started after being planted, or as a self-sown 

 seedling on good soil, it is a rapid-growing tree, which is only 

 hindered in its growth by the annually recurring grass-fires. 

 Wherever it is protected it develops into a straight-boled, large 

 tree. The branches are very persistent, so that close planting 

 is most necessary. Several plantations have been made with 

 this tree. 



Utility. — The tree is burnt for its ashes for fixing native 



