Milicia excelsa
Images by part: leaf (5) · flower (1) · fruit (0) · bark (1) · habit (0) · other (0)

Milicia excelsa

African teak · Counterwood · Iroko · Mvule · Rock-elm

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
28
Observations
9

Description

Source: leafsnap

Milicia excelsa is a tree species from the genus Milicia of the family Moraceae. Distributed across tropical Central Africa, it is one of two species (the other being Milicia regia) yielding timber commonly known as African teak, iroko, intule, kambala, moreira, mvule, odum and tule.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

African oak is found in open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, where there is abundant light. It does best in Full Sun but can also withstand Partial Sun, adapting well to different light levels.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

African oak comes from tropical areas, where the weather is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is well suited to high temperatures and moisture. It is sensitive to abrupt temperature changes and prefers a consistent thermal environment, so avoiding temperature swings indoors is important. It typically cannot tolerate cold conditions and needs higher temperatures to grow. If the ambient temperature drops too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

Fertilization is essential for caring for the African oak. Regular feeding during the growing season preserves the energy needed for its showy foliage and supports overall growth. Failing to fertilize can lead to unhealthy leaves, reduced ornamental value, and stunted or weak growth that is prone to breaking.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The African oak is a large deciduous tree known for its sturdy trunk and wide canopy. To keep it healthy, prune it in early spring. This will help remove dead branches, encourage new growth, and improve light and air circulation. However, be careful not to over-prune, as this can stress the tree and affect its longevity and structural integrity.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Milicia
Family
Moraceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
29.87 m to 39.93 m
Mature Spread
14.94 m to 20.12 m
Leaf Color
Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Early spring, Mid spring
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Summer
Native Area
Burkina Faso, Malawi, Angola, Zambia, Sudan, Nigeria, Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Benin, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Mozambique, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Congo (DRC), Congo

Tags (5)

Common Names (5)

en African teak
en Counterwood
en Iroko
en Mvule
en Rock-elm