Natural occurrence in a band across Africa from Kenya to Liberia between 8°N and 6°S where it is mainly found on the fringes of high forests in the ecozone between rainforest and savannah. It is an early successional species, adept at colonising disturbed areas in forests.
Within the area of natural distribution it is found in the lowlands and up to 1800 m altitude.
In plantations it is normally planted in the lowland and grows best at altitudes from 600 to 900 m. Prefers mean annual rainfall of 1200-3600 mm and tolerates a dry season of up to 4 months. Prefers deep, well-drained soils but can grow on light soils if there is sufficient water.
The pulpwood is comparable with other hardwoods used for pulp production. It is used in agroforestry as a shade tree for cocoa, coffee, cardamom and tea and planted for erosion control.
Source: Danida Forest Seed Centre. Seed leaflet No. 48 November 2000, Dorthe Jøker