Ocotea kenyensis aka Transvaal Stinkwood

Ocotea kenyensis is an evergreen tree in the laurel family, Lauraceae. Its common names include Transvaal stinkwood and stinkhout. It grows in Africa, from Ethiopia south to South Africa. Its range includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and eastern Congo. It forms part of the canopy in evergreen rainforests. These forests lie at heights of 3,609–8,530 feet [1,100–2,600 metres].

The tree has a rounded crown with many branches. Accounts place its height at 66–98 feet [20–30 metres]. Some trees reach 131 feet [40 metres]. These figures describe the species, rather than a confirmed garden range. The trunk tends to grow straight. It may lack branches for 26 feet [8 metres]. Trunk width can reach 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Some trunks reach 4.9 feet [1.5 metres] across. The tree keeps its leaves throughout the year.

This species comes from moist tropical uplands. Annual rain across its range totals about 59–87 inches. Plants For A Future lists it for USDA zones 10–12. The tree grows at a fairly fast pace. It can regrow well after cutting back for coppice. Growers need to sow fresh seed, since drying damages it. Moist sawdust can keep seed viable for a short time. Root suckers offer another way to raise new trees. The tree often produces many suckers, which are easy to propagate.

People harvest wild trees for timber, both locally and for trade. The heartwood ranges from light golden brown to dark brown. Dark marks and wavy grain can give it a patterned look. Its wood has a fine texture and some sheen. Uses include floors, wall panels, furniture, and carved work. Other uses include plywood, veneer, handles, and light building work. People also burn the wood or turn it into charcoal. The timber has some resistance to termites and marine borers. Lyctus beetles can damage it.

Heavy logging and habitat loss threaten this tree. Useful Tropical Plants reports a Vulnerable listing from the 2011 IUCN assessment. Some wild populations contain very few trees. Traditional uses include bark preparations for coughs and chewed bark for diarrhoea. These records describe folk use, not proven treatment effects. The sources list no food uses and no known hazards. That lack of reported hazards does not establish safety for people or pets.