Pterocarpus angolensis reaches for the sky

Transvaal teak is a feature of the Lowveld. Here growing among a multitude of the woodland trees of the region, few of which compete with it in height.

Teak or kiaat timber has long been famous for making furniture, canoes, drums and curios. The heartwood is golden or reddish brown and has a spicy fragrance. It is borer and termite resistant, generally durable. Several traditional medicine remedies from parts of this tree are still in existence.

It is difficult to grow this tree from seed, while truncheons planted in midspring grow easily. The tree is not frost resistant. It needs summer watering and good drainage (Coates Palgrave, 2002).