Olea welwitschii (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

Olea welwitschii Oleaceae Indigenous

• English: Elgon olive, Elgon teak
• Amargna: Sigida weira
• Kefgna: Yaho
• Oromugna: Ba’a

A tree with attractive timber found in Angola, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia from lowland rain forest to upland evergreen forest. In Ethiopia, it occurs in humid lower highlands in Dry, Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Moist and Wet Dega agroclimatic zones in Ilubabor, Kefa, Sidamo, Arsi, and Bale regions, 1,500–2,400 m.

Firewood (branches), timber (furniture, veneer), medicine (bark).

The tree can reach 25 m with a straight bole and small crown.

• BARK: Pale grey to white, grooved vertically.
• LEAVES: Opposite and oval, to 5 x 15 cm, on a stalk 2–3 cm, the tip drawn out and pointed.
• FLOWERS: Very many, small and white, in sprays to 8 cm long.
• FRUIT: Narrow, oval and small.

Seedlings, wildings.

About 3,000 seed per kg. Pulp should be separated from the seed by rubbing and cleaning in running water. Then dry seed for storage or sow immediately.

• Treatment: Soak dried seed in cold water.
• Storage: Seed can be stored but use of fresh seed is recommended.

Slow growing. Lopping, pollarding, coppices when young.

A very valuable termite-resistant timber tree. The timber is pale golden brown with paler streaks and is used for high-class furniture.