Silver Oak

Silver Oak

Brachylaena huillensis (B. hutchinsii)

Origin: Indigenous

The Silver Oak is an evergreen tree, usually 8-15 metres tall, with steeply climbing branches that produce a thin crown and grey-green foliage. Bark is grey-brown, peeling vertically, and fibrous. Leaves: Distinctive spear-shaped, to 10 cm, larger in young plants, sharply tipped in upright bunches, shoots with cream hairs, mature leaves white hairy below but shiny above, edge usually without sharp teeth in older plants; young plants frequently have larger leaves with few to many sharp teeth at the edges. Flowers: Male and female on separate trees, tiny and white in furry bunches. Fruit: Tiny hairy seeds that fall and look like white fluff on the ground.

Uses include firewood, charcoal, timber, flooring, poles, posts, carvings, ornaments, and essential oil (distilled from wood).

Notes: Wood is lightweight but strong, extremely durable, and termite-resistant.

In the wood-carving industry, only Dalbergia melanoxylon has a higher value. Timber from the Silver Oak is easy to carve and polish to a high quality finish. This precious tree, popular among wood carvers, is currently restricted to protected regions due to increased poaching. Mature trees are increasingly scarce in most forests.