Baikiaea plurijuga aka Zambezi Teak

Baikiaea plurijuga belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its common names include Rhodesian teak and Zambesi redwood. It comes from the dry tropics of southern Africa. Its range covers Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. It grows in forests on deep Kalahari sands. In some places, it forms much of the forest.

This slow-growing tree has many branches and a broad, dense crown. Garden references give a height of about 49 feet [15 metres]. They list a spread of about 66 feet [20 metres]. Broader accounts report heights of 20–66 feet [6–20 metres]. Rare trees reach 82 feet [25 metres]. The straight trunk may swell at its base. Its bark is rough and cracked, and its stems look grey. Dark green leaves may fall for part of the year. Pinkish flowers and dark brown pods add colour. Insects pollinate the flowers. The large, flat seeds have a glossy brown surface.

Give this tree sun and soil that drains well. Light to medium soils suit it best. In the wild, it grows in poor, sandy ground. It favours acid soil, though PFAF lists a wider pH tolerance. Its native climate has a dry season lasting six to eight months. Established trees grow deep taproots and resist drought well. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12 and warns of frost damage. Both sources also report much greater cold tolerance in mature trees. These conflicting claims do not establish reliable frost hardiness.

Its broad crown suits parks and large gardens. Growers can raise it from seed or stem cuttings. Fresh seed may sprout without treatment. Dry seed may need treatment to soften its hard coat. The long taproot makes seedlings hard to manage in nursery pots. Neither source gives a detailed account of pests or diseases. The wood resists termite attack, but that does not prove whole-tree resistance.

People prize the heavy, strong wood for furniture, fencing and other timber uses. Its heartwood is reddish brown with dark marks. It also provides fuel and charcoal. The bark yields tannins, and people use the seeds for jewellery. PFAF lists the flowers as edible. Local medicinal uses include bark preparations for toothache, tonics and syphilis. These reports describe traditional use, not proof of safe or effective treatment. Both references report no known hazards. That does not establish safety for people or pets.