Guibourtia tessmannii aka Akume

Guibourtia tessmannii is a large evergreen tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. Its common names include bubinga and kevazingo. Its native range runs from southern Nigeria into west-central tropical Africa. Records include Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Congo. It grows in wet tropical forests on firm ground. Trees occur scattered through these forests, but can be fairly abundant.

Sources list a height of 164 feet [50 metres]. Some forest trees may exceed 213 feet [65 metres]. PFAF gives a spread of 115 feet [35 metres]. These figures do not establish a usual garden size. The trunk grows straight, then bends near its upper end. It can reach about 6.6 feet [2 metres] across. Tall, thin buttresses rise around its base, with an uneven form. The tree grows slowly and keeps its leaves year-round.

PFAF lists full sun and moist soil as its needs. It accepts sand, loam, or clay, provided water drains well. Its listed pH range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline. PFAF places it in USDA zones 10–12. Detailed cultivation records remain scarce, and Useful Tropical Plants lists it as wild. Growers can raise it from seed. Insects pollinate the flowers. PFAF also reports that the tree can fix nitrogen.

People harvest wild trees for timber and export the wood. The heartwood ranges from pink to reddish brown. Fine purple-red and brown streaks mark it. A distinct outer band of sapwood borders the heartwood. The grain may run straight, interlock, or form waves. The wood is dense, hard, and durable. It resists fungi, termites, and borers that attack dry wood. These are timber traits, not proof that living trees resist pests.

Uses include veneer, fine furniture, cabinets, floors, stairs, and turned pieces. Builders also use it for heavy carpentry and railway sleepers. The wood dries slowly and may split or warp. Even dry wood can change shape during use. It dulls cutting tools, so working it calls for care. Screws and nails need holes drilled first. Sources report no known food or medicinal uses. They also list no known hazards, but provide no detailed safety assessment.