THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 323 
of over 12 feet, and the bole is straighter and considerably 
taller than most of the Khayas. 
Pseudocedrela Kotschyti. 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 dry-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 growth. 
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, Plekkoge (Benin) ; Eplekgo 
(Jekri) ; Edem (Efik); Atori (Oban, Ekoi). 
This tree is found in the evergreen and mixed forests of 
