The Iroko Tree (GIANT OF AFRICAN TREES)

The Iroko tree (Yoruba) also known as Uko in Igbo, is a wonderful tree both in Legends and in actual modern uses. Its scientific name is “Chlorophora excelsa”, it is of the mulberry family and has strong streaky insect-resistant wood which is often used as a teak substitute.

In the West Coast of Africa, it is a large hardwood. It is sometimes called Nigerian or African Teak, although it is not of the teak family. The wood starts as yellow but darkens to a rich brown over time. The Iroko tree is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Mozambique under different names like Kambala, Mvule, Abang, Doussie, Odum, Intule, Tule etc.

The tree grows to an average height of 50 meters (164 feet) and is normally between 75 cm (2.3feet) to 250 cm (8.2 feet) in diameter. The tree-stem averages between 15 to 28 meters branch-free. Iroko looks vagely similar to teak. This is why it is sometimes called African-teak or Kambala-teak, a misleading European name.

In many cultures the tree is feared, shunned or revered. Yoruba’s believe that the tree is inhabited by a spirit – The Iroko-Man, legend has it that anyone who sees the Iroko-Man face to face goes insane and soon dies. In Yoruba culture, a man who cuts down an Iroko tree brings bad luck to himself and his family. They believe that the spirit of the Iroko can be heard in homes that use Iroko wood, because the spirit of the Iroko is trapped in the wood.