Ocotea bullata (Stinkwood)

The splendid Ocotea bullata must be one of South Africa’s best known and highly prized indigenous trees. Along with the Yellowwood, the number of these magnificent trees was seriously depleted in our natural forests due to indiscriminate harvesting to satisfy the high demand for the superb timber. With careful management however, their numbers have gradually increased, but the Stinkwood remains a protected species. For this reason these superb shade trees are a valuable and worthwhile addition to the landscape.

 

TREE DETAILS
Botanical Name	Ocotea bullata
Common Name	Stinkwood
Genus	Lauraceae
RSA National Tree No’	118
LANDSCAPING USES
The stately Ocotea bullata is one of the best choices as a shade tree for large gardens or parks where its striking appearance can be fully appreciated. These majestic trees look spectacular as a specimen on a large lawn or as an imposing focal point in the landscape when under-planted with an attractive selection of shade loving shrubs and perennials, such as Azaleas, Cyatheas, Clivias and ferns to name but a few. The Stinkwood is also an excellent subject for planting along an imposing driveway, creating a breathtaking avenue or for enhancing any large area where a truly beautiful evergreen tree is sought.
TREE SPECIFICATIONS
Height	30 m
Spread	4 – 5 m
Deciduous/Evergreen	Evergreen
Growth Habit	Ocotea bullata is typically found growing in deep soils in high forests and kloofs and occasionally in mountain scrub.
Bark	The bark of young Stinkwood trees is smooth and light grey with pink or mauve markings becoming rougher and darker as the tree ages.
Foliage	The large, glossy, aromatic leaves have wavy margins, and are dark green above and somewhat paler underneath. The leaves have distinctive ‘blisters’ or bubbles on the upper surface in the axils of the veins.
Flowers	The tiny, yellowish green flowers are borne in axillary clusters from December to February.
Fruit	The 20mm long, oval fruit resembles an acorn with the lower part set in a cup shaped receptacle. The fruit ripens to purple in autumn.
Seed	The brownish, seed is 10-13 mm long.
GROWING REQUIREMENTS
Growing regions	Ocotea bullata occurs naturally from the kloofs of Table Mountain in the Western Cape, all along the southern Cape coastal region and up along the east coast as far as Limpopo.
Growing conditions	The Stinkwood is a forest subject and generally prefers a shady position with well composted soil and adequate moisture.
Best season	All year
Hardiness	Ocotea bullata is fairly hardy but will not tolerate extremely dry conditions.
Propagation	Propagation can be done using cuttings but these may be quite difficult to root. The best and most successful method is by planting seed that has been freshly harvested and sown immediately. Germination takes approximately 30 days.
Growth rate	Depending on conditions, medium to fast.
INTERESTING FEATURES
Stinkwood has been used medicinally by indigenous peoples for centuries. Various concoctions made from the bark are used for headaches, urinary diseases as well as for emotional and nervous conditions. The exquisitely patterned, finely textured and naturally lustrous timber, ranges in colour from reddish brown or deep walnut to almost black, making it highly sought after for fine cabinet making, gun stocks, doors, windows and wagon parts.