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Lexicon Yellowwood _____________________________________________________ Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius, Afrikaans 'Opregte geelhout) is the national tree of South Africa. It is a large tree of 20m to 30m in height, occurring in ever-green and mountain-forests of the southern and eastern mountain ranges. The trees yield a fine timber of uniform pale-yellow colour, which seasons and works well, is easy to saw and takes a high-gleam finish. It is the most used indigenous timber. It was used commonly in the Cape and hinterland by the settlers for doors, windows, shutters, ceilings and floors as well as for joists and beams. Its external use was restricted as it does not have a high resin content and is subject to rapid weathering and rot. Its use in the construction of buildings, however, became too costly. In the wagon-making industry it was popular for use as hubs, flooring and beams. It is still used in the manufacture of furniture, often in conjunction with stinkwood. Its use in South Africa is strictly controled. (Palgvrave 1983 1977:58; Lewcock 1963: 10, 384). Books linked to this entry Lewcock, Ronald. 1963. Early Nineteenth Century Architecture in South Africa : a study of the interaction of two cultures, 1795-1837. Cape Town: AA Balkema pp 10, 384