Meru Oak

Vitex keniensis

A large deciduous forest tree endemic to Kenya's highland forests, prized historically as one of the country's most valuable cabinet timbers. Populations have collapsed due to decades of selective logging, and it is now rare in the wild.

Family: Lamiaceae
Tree type: timber/conservation
Mature height (m): 30-45
Growth rate: medium
Lifespan (years): 100-200
Native region: Kenya highland forests (Mt. Kenya, Meru, Aberdares) - Kenyan endemic

Environment

Growing Conditions

Climate requirements: Restricted to cool, moist highland forest at roughly 1,500-2,200m altitude with 1,200-2,000mm annual rainfall; does not tolerate hot, dry lowland conditions.
Soil types: Deep, fertile, well-drained volcanic forest loams.
Water requirements: Moderate to high; requires consistently moist forest-floor conditions, especially as a seedling.

Cultivation

Planting & Care

Planting guide: Propagated from seed at the start of the long rains; spacing of roughly 6-8m in restoration plantings, typically as forest enrichment rather than open-field planting.
Care guide: Slow-to-establish and shade-tolerant when young; seedlings need protection from browsing livestock, and mature stands require protection from illegal pit-sawing.

Phenology

Flowering & Fruiting

Flowering season: Around March-April
Fruiting season: Following flowering, mid-year

Value

Uses & Economic Importance

Uses: Durable, attractive timber used for high-end furniture, joinery, and formerly boat-building; wood resists termite attack.
Economic importance: Endemic to Kenya and classified as endangered/vulnerable; harvesting of indigenous forest timber has been under a government moratorium since 1986, so it is no longer commercially logged but remains a target of illegal felling due to high timber value.

Trade

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