380 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



tinguish them from those of the Dwarf Red Ironwood. The 

 under surface of the leaf is whitish, sometimes almost grey ; the 

 flowers are white and come out in December ; the fruit is like 

 a small green plum and ripens in May. The leaves persist 

 over one season. The green pericarp covering the nut 

 can be eaten and is not unpleasant to the taste. The nut 

 itself is not unlike a chestnut in its being brown and shiny ; the 

 shape, however, is more oval, with one comparatively sharp 

 ridge. 



The sapwood is white and comparatively wide ; the heart- 

 wood is a rich dark-red colour ; it is very hard and durable ; 

 it is termite-proof ; it splits very badly, does not take nails 

 well ; it is hard to plane and is sawn none too easily. It does 

 not warp or crack to any e;ctent while it is seasoning under 

 proper conditions ; it burns with great heat, but rather less 

 than in the case of Emido. 



It is a rather slow-growing tree, with soil-protecting and soil- 

 improving qualities ; as a light-loving species takes up a good 

 deal of space. Natural regeneration appears to be poor, and may 

 be due to the fact that the flowers appear, or before the young 

 fruit has only just set, as the annual grass-fires run through 

 the open deciduous forests where this tree is found. On the 

 other hand, root suckers grow in great profusion. It also sprouts 

 well from the stump. It is one of the most fire-resisting trees, 

 and the thick bark no doubt protects it from its worst ravages. 

 It may be considered one of the most typical trees of the drier 

 parts of the open deciduous forests. A few sample plots have 

 been tried with this tree, but it does not stand transplanting 

 at all well. Rodents such as the cut-grass (ground pig) are 

 very fond of the nuts, and no doubt destroy a great number 

 whilst they are germinating. Fire-protecting root suckers and 

 other young trees have thus far proved the most effective method 

 of increasing the number of mature trees. It does not appear 

 to be very exacting as to soil, but no doubt the growth is best 

 on moist alluvial flats so long as they are well drained. 



Locally the most valuable part of the tree is the nut, from 

 which the Shea butter is boiled out after three days ; it is a 

 general article of diet instead of palm oil, in those districts 

 where the latter is hard to obtain. Locally, also, the largest 

 trees are cut down and made into mortars for beating food ; 

 these fetch a price of 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. apiece ; they are con- 

 sidered not only the most suitable, but also the most durable, 

 except those made of the wood of the Oil Bean (Pentaclethra 

 macrophylla). In other places it is used as a house-building 

 timber. 



