390 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



Apocynacese. 



Alstonia Congensis (Eng.). Pattern Wood, Stool Wood. Ahun, 

 Awun, Ogudugbu (Yoruba) ; Ukhu (Benin) ; Ekuri Ebii (Ibo 

 Owerri) ; Abo, Idu (Efik) ; Ofemm (Bembi) ; Etiap, Oguk 

 (Oban, Ekoi). 



It is a large tree, growing up to a height of 100 feet and 

 10 feet girth. The white lenticels on the bark are very typical 

 of the tree, and give it the appearance of having a rust disease. 

 The crown is formed of two or three whorls of branches and is 

 very flat in old age. The tree grows always in whorls, though 

 it may have more than one stem. In the distance the leaves 

 apjjear to be digitate, but in reality three to seven are found to 

 be growing out of the end of one stalk, all being much the same 

 size. The crown is flatly umbrella-shaped. It has compara- 

 tively few branches. The root flanges are slight, soon merging 

 into the trunk. At the base of the bole, however, they are 

 not absolutely round in shape, but have two or three large 

 ridges, sometimes almost subdividing it. The slash is white, 

 with yellow spots. A chalky white latex exudes when it is 

 cut, rapidly running down the stem like a streak of whitewash. 



It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Owerri, 

 Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria in the evergreen and 

 mixed deciduous forest zone. It is a very common tree through- 

 out this region and is usually found growing singly. 



The timber is white, there being little or no difference 

 between sap wood and heart wood. When dry, it is very 

 light and soft. It splits and planes easily, saws well, and 

 takes nails easily. The grain is close and fine and very even 

 in texture. Although dull, it works up to a smooth finish. 

 It is attacked by termites. It is not durable in the open, but 

 under cover it lasts quite well. In drying it is liable to shrink and 

 warp a little, but with care this can be avoided. It seasons 

 comparatively quickly. It cuts easily with a knife or chisel 

 and might take the place of lime as a carving-wood. From 

 its texture it should take stains very well. 



It is a very fast-growing, at first slightly shade-bearing 

 and latterly a light-loving tree, which thoroughly protects 

 the soil and enriches it with its leaf fall. Natural regeneration 

 appears to be good, as it sprouts well from the stump. It 

 seems to like a good soil with plenty of moisture, and will 

 even withstand floods. It is not fire-resisting. The crown 

 and branches are liable to be broken with a high wind. 



In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool 

 market as a whitewood, but it was considered to be of no value. 



