Obeche

The most heavily logged tree in Ghana’s forests – pale, light wawa timber goes into plywood, mouldings and saunas.

Triplochiton scleroxylon is a fast-growing, deciduous tree of semi-evergreen forests that reaches 45–50 m in height, with tall buttresses at the base of the trunk. It has lobed leaves and small white flowers with a purple centre. Its wood is very pale, light and easy to work, and it conducts heat poorly – hence its use in plywood, joinery and as a material for sauna interiors. In the trade it is also known as obeche, ayous or samba.

Significance in the country

For decades wawa was the most important species in Ghana’s timber industry, accounting for a large share of the country’s timber harvest. Because of intensive logging, it is now being replanted in forest reserves.

Where it grows

Semi-evergreen forests of central and southern Ghana – especially the Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Eastern and Western regions, and less commonly the Central and Volta regions.

More: Wikipedia (en)