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Summary
Pouteria altissima is a tropical tree that can be found in evergreen rainforests in various parts in Africa. It grows up to 40 m in height and 1 m in trunk diameter. The trunk is straight and cylindrical. The fruits are red when ripe. There are no known medicinal and edible uses of this species. However, it can used as a shade tree in coffee, cocoa, and banana plantations. The bark yields latex but there are no known uses of the latex to date. The wood is used for light carpentry, boxes and crates, interior joinery, musical instruments, paper production, fuel, charcoal, etc.
Physical Characteristics
Pouteria altissima is a TREE growing to 35 m (114ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Aningeria altissima (A.Chev.) Aubr?v. & Pellegr. Hormogyne altissima A.Chev. Hormogyne gabonensis A.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Charcoal Fuel Furniture Latex Paper Wood
Agroforestry Uses: In Ethiopia and Uganda the tree is used as a shade tree in coffee, banana and cocoa plantations[299 ]. The tree is considered useful as a bee plant[299 ]. Other Uses A latex exudes from the bark[299 ]. No uses are recorded. The heartwood is creamy white to reddish brown; it is indistinctly demarcated from the 3 - 6cm wide band of sapwood. The grain is straight, sometimes interlocked; texture fine to moderately coarse. The wood is moderately light, it is not durable and is liable to attacks by fungi, termites, dry-wood borers and marine borers. Drying usually does not cause problems, but there is a slight risk of distortion and checking and a tendency to blue stain, especially in early stages of air drying. The shrinkage rates are moderate. Once dry, the wood is moderately stable in service. The wood contains about 0.3% silica and consequently the blunting effect on saws and cutting tools is high - stellite-tipped sawteeth and tungsten-carbide tools are recommended. It sometimes finishes poorly after planing or sawing; nailing, screwing and slicing properties are good; and the wood stains, paints and glues well. The wood is especially recommended for high-quality sliced and peeled veneer. It is also used for light carpentry, interior joinery, high-class furniture, moulding, light construction, vehicle bodies, musical instruments, boxes and crates, railway sleepers, toys and novelties, turnery, and pulpwood for paper production[299 ]. The wood is used for fuel and for the production of charcoal[299 ].
Special Uses
Coppice
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
In natural forest in Gabon the trees showed a mean annual bole diameter increment of 3.3mm. In the Central African Republic the annual bole diameter increment was 3.2mm in a non-perturbed forest, 4mm after exploitation of the forest and 6mm after exploitation and chemical thinning[299 ]. Most trees with boles over 50 cm in diameter are capable of producing fruits[299 ]. Seedlings are classified as non-pioneer light demanders. Although they may be abundant around parent trees, further development depends on the presence of gaps in the forest canopy. However, research in Uganda showed that large-scale logging operations in the forest negatively influence regeneration[299 ]. Tests on regeneration in Kenya showed that artificial regeneration of this species in buffer plantations around the natural timber production forest may be needed to maintain it in sufficient numbers after logging[299 ]. In cultivation, the tree can be managed by coppicing or pollarding[299 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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Plant Propagation
Seed - it loses viability very quickly and should be sown directly after collection[299 ]. Seeds can be sown in light shade, but seedlings will soon need higher light intensities if they are to thrive[299 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Abam, Apotro, Gomu,
Native Range
Coming Soon
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Lower Risk/conservation dependent
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(A.Chev.) Baehni
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Pouteria altissima
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