Teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) has a long tradition of cultivation in Benin. It was introduced in the country in the 1930s and has been intensively planted since 1949. At the present time, teak plantations cover about 15 000 ha in Benin.
According to silvicultural research activities (C.T.F.T., 1969), Benin teak plantations have a satisfactory initial growth. The best site classes are more productive than Indian and Trinidad teak plantations and can be included in the second yield class of Côte d’Ivoire teak plantations.
According to the latest silvicultural management planning projects, the total production capacity of the main teak plantations in Benin is 92 400 m3/year (wood of more than 7 cm in diameter), which corresponds to 58 000 m3/year of sawn wood (wood of 15 cm diameter up to 40 cm or more).
According to the latest silvicultural management planning projects, the total production capacity of the main teak plantations can produce actually 50,000 CBM that’s means for the next three years about 150,000 CBM.
Most of the current plantation teak wood from Benin has the following characteristics:
Length: 2.3m to 12m
Diameter: 22cm to 40cm
