Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Know your trees: Yellowwood (podocarpus falcatus)


 
This medium to very tall tree can be found in the coastal to evergreen forests that occur from the Southern Cape to Gauteng. The leaves are dark green, often with a greyish bloom, and can be slightly sickle-shaped. They are borne on square-ridged branchlets. The round fleshy seeds, which are about 1.5 cm in diameter, are produced singly and may be found on the tree most of the year. The flaking bark of this yellowwood is the easiest way to tell Podocarpus falcatus from Podocarpus latifolius. This is one of the yellowwoods of the timber trade, the timber being highly prized and much in demand in the structural restoration of historical buildings and for fine furniture, flooring and panelling. From Everyone’s Guide to Trees of South Africa by Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave, published by CNA.

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