Afrocarpus falcatus aka Conifer

Afrocarpus falcatus is an evergreen tree in the Podocarpaceae family. Gardeners may know it as common yellow-wood or Oteniqua yellow-wood. Its older name is Podocarpus falcatus. Its native range runs from Malawi south to South Africa. It grows in mountain forests, rainforest, and moist coastal woods. It reaches sea level in subtropical parts of its range.

This tree grows fast and can become very large. Reported heights span 33–148 feet [10–45 metres], with extremes near 197 feet [60 metres]. The evidence does not give a separate garden height range. Its crown can be narrow, with sparse or dense branches. Open-grown trees can form broad, dense crowns with low branches. Young plants have a bushy shape. In forest shade, trees form long, straight trunks. These may lack branches for 82 feet [25 metres]. Trunks can exceed 6.6 feet [2 metres] across.

Male cones produce pollen, which the wind carries. The tree is not self-fertile. Birds eat its seeds; cockatoos have been seen opening immature fruits. Ripe fruit is edible, though it has a resinous quality. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards for this species. That does not establish safety for every use or consumer. Bark, seeds, and sap have uses in traditional medicine. Those records describe past uses, not proof of safe treatment.

Grow it in sun or light shade. Young trees can cope with much deeper shade. It prefers deep soil rich in humus that drains well. A light soil texture suits it best. Its preferred soil pH is 5–7. It grows best with daytime temperatures of 13–20°C. Dormant plants may survive brief cold near −2°C. New growth can suffer severe harm at 0°C. These limits make frost a key concern when choosing a site.

People plant it along roads and as a landscape tree. Young plants also serve as container plants and Christmas trees. Its timber has long supplied shipbuilding, other woodwork, and fuel. The pale wood is easy to work but can split when nailed. Bark has served in tanning, while leaves supply an insecticide ingredient. Useful Tropical Plants reports a Least Concern assessment from 2010. The supplied evidence names no specific garden pests or diseases.