Celtis africana aka White Stinkwood

Celtis africana is a deciduous tree in the hemp family, Cannabaceae. Its native range spans tropical and southern Africa and southwest Arabia. It also includes the Comoros and Madagascar. It grows in forests, wooded ravines, and beside rivers. It also occurs on rocky ground and in coastal forests. Poor sites may keep it small enough to form a shrub.

Height accounts suggest about 75–82 feet [23–25 metres] for a mature tree. Larger trees reach 98 feet [30 metres], with rare extremes of 131 feet [40 metres]. Its broad, rounded crown casts dense shade. The trunk may branch low or stay clear for some height. Smooth bark ranges from grey to almost white. Some trunks develop scales or ridges that run across them. Slender twigs bend in a zigzag, with buds pressed close. Alternate leaves have uneven bases and long, pointed tips. Three clear veins meet at each leaf base. Teeth line only the upper half of each leaf.

Tiny greenish flowers grow on stalks where leaves meet stems. They appear in spring in Africa, and bees pollinate them. The round fruits are fleshy drupes, each with a stone. They ripen in late summer to dark yellow-brown or near-black. Virginia Tech describes the flesh as sweet and edible. Useful Tropical Plants, however, lists no known food uses. Trees may first bear fruit at four years old.

This tropical and subtropical tree can withstand some frost. It grows best in deep, fertile, moist soil with good drainage. Established trees withstand a moderate degree of drought. It also grows on sand and rocky soils. Such sites may limit its growth to a shrub. Young trees can add 3–7 feet [1–2 metres] each year. Fresh seed can sprout without treatment. A day-long soak in cold water can speed germination. Keep the seed bed moist and warm, with shade.

People plant this tree for shade and along roads. Its hard, tough wood serves for boards, handles, and fences. Bark fibres provide material for rope and cloth. Traditional medicine uses the bark, leaves, and roots for several ailments. These recorded uses do not establish safe or effective home treatments. Pollen can cause allergic reactions. Bark compounds help deter porcupines from chewing the trunk. The supplied sources do not establish broader toxicity or disease risks.