Bridging the Gap: linking timber trade with infrastructural ...

Hymenaea verrucosa (Gum copal tree, Mnangu) - Class V
This tree earns its name from valued gum extracted from the bark and fruit, although it also has a
valuable, hard, but workable, timber (Mbuya et al., 1994). An evergreen tree of dry lowland forests and
coastal forests, it grows to 6-25 m tall.
According to available records, Hymenaea verrucosa currently accounts for the highest trade levels,
representing 40% of all licences issued in the study area during 2000-2001. Further, the proportion of H.
verrucosa has increased by 10% during this period, although it is also apparent that in some areas higher
value (Class II) species are illegally harvested using licences for H. verrucosa. According to government
records, harvesting of H. verrucosa from Lindi Region is almost negligible. Harvest volumes have
increased markedly in Rufiji District since 1995 (Figure 41). Currently, the main source areas in Rufiji
District are Ngumburuni and Ruhoi Forest Reserves (Figure 41).
Figure 41
Rufiji District harvest areas and volumes (m 3 ) for Hymenaea verrucosa
5,000
4,000
4,687
4,073
3,000
2,000
1,000
691
274 355
1,315
2,694
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Sources: District timber harvest licence records, 2001; Kibiti checkpoint statistics, 1992-2001.
Trichilia emetica (Cape mahogany, Mlopolopo) - Class V
Trichilia emetica is an evergreen tree growing to 15-30 m tall growing in areas of well-drained, rich soil
and high ground water (Mbuya et al., 1994). The timber from this tree is used for a variety of purposes
including timber for furniture, boats, poles and tool handles. According to official records, this species
has recently entered trade with the first harvest licences issued in 1998 (Figure 42). Similar to Hymenaea
verrucosa, this is another species that is harvested in relatively high volumes (20% of all licences during
2000-2001) and has witnessed increases in its overall composition in harvest levels between 2000 and
2001 (13% increase). Again similar to H. verrucosa, all harvest licences issued in the study area were for
Rufiji District, and Ngumburuni Forest Reserve was listed as a major source of timber (Figure 42). The
recent increases in volumes recorded may be attributed partly due to declines in other timber species, and
partly to misclassification to avoid royalties.
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