African teak  (Pericopsis elata)

Threats

The trade in the timber from this tree has soared since 1948, and the degree of exploitation has long been unsustainable across its range. The habitat has been lost and now regeneration is insufficient to replace lost populations (1). Illegal logging continues to decimate the remaining populations (2).

Conservation

Urgent regulation of logging is necessary, including the employment of Forestry Stewardship Council regulations on harvesting. In Ghana some enrichment planting is being practised, where suitable areas with low numbers of African teak are planted with African teak seedlings, but conservation of current populations is a priority (2).

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