Entandrophragma angolense
Entandrophragma angolense
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist tropics at low to moderate elevations of up to 1,800 metres[1]. It grows best in areas where the average rainfall is 1,600 - 1,800mm, growing less well when rainfall exceeds 2,300mm[1]. Strongly prefers well-drained localities with good water-holding capacity[1]. Young plants require shade, but after the seedling stage they should be gradually exposed to more light[1]. Natural regeneration is often scarce in natural forest, but logging operations that create gaps may promote regeneration. In natural forest, saplings are most common in gaps[1]. Tests with seedlings showed that growth was good under conditions simulating the light conditions in small forest gaps, and that growth was still fair under the light conditions of medium-sized gaps. The seedlings performed poorly under full-light conditions[1]. Under optimal conditions seedlings grow fairly fast, about 1 metre per year during the first two years, exceptionally up to 2 metres per year[1]. Striplings may reach 6 metres tall 4 years after planting[1]. Larger trees show average annual diameter increments of 2 - 6.5 mm, with highest increment in the diameter class of 50 - 70 cm when the crown reached the forest canopy[1]. It has been estimated that it takes nearly 140 years for a planted tree to reach 100 cm bole diameter[1]. Trees start fruit production at larger diameters, and this has implications for forest management; harvesting trees of less than 50 cm bole diameter seriously reduces fruit production[1].
Propagation
Seed - pre-soaking in warm water for one night is reported to speed up germination[1]. Seeds should be placed in seed beds with the wing pointing upward and threequarters of the seed (without wing) buried. When sown fresh, the seed may have a high germination rate of more than 75%, but the germination rate decreases to about 25% after 3 weeks storage in open air[1]. Germination of fresh seeds starts 1 week after sowing, but germination of seeds stored for 10 - 15 days may take 30 - 45 days[1]. Overhead shade is required for young seedlings[1]. Seeds can be stored for some time in sealed containers in a cool place, but insect damage, to which they are very susceptible, should be avoided, e.g. By adding ash[1]. It is recommended to plant out young trees under a light cover of a young secondary forest or in enrichment lines in forest paths[1]. It is possible to plant in full sun on exceptionally fertile soils or on dead termite nests but the mortality may be as high as 50% after some years[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Entandrophragma+angolense>
Pollinators
Data unavailable