A medium-sized tree to 15m with a large rounded and usually open crown. BARK: Dark brown, rough, thick and corky. Found from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Widely distributed in highland forests or forest margins, 1,500-2,500 m. Also found in evergreen bushland on rocky soils and at forest edges of dry forests. Common in areas such as Nanyuki, Moyale and Kibwezi. A few remnant trees grown in the Limuru and Kikuyu outskirts of Nairobi. Hollow trunks used to make beehives. Though soft the wood is used for doors by the Kipsigis. A bark decoction is used by the Maasai and Meru to expel the placenta in childbirth. It is used for making coffins, drums and boats; leaves and roots as medicine; wood used as firewood (poor quality) and for carving; leaves for veterinary medicine.