It is exploited at a moderate level as a decorative timber. There is also evidence that regeneration may be hampered in places by the absence of its seed disperser, the elephant. Izomb is a timber species occurring in areas of primary forest and transitional formations. Its distribution in Congo and Cameroon is very limited. Levels of exploitation are high and have caused population declines.
Obeche occurs in abundance in transitional forest formations.
Its range is extending because of its successful colonisation of logged and abandoned farm land. Exploitation of the wood is very heavy and, in places, unsustainable, both for local use and the international timber trade. Of all West Africa timbers this species is extracted at the highest volumes. A monotypic genus endemic to the Guineo-Congolian regional centre of endemism. Known as avodir , the species is commonly found in moist semi-deciduous forest, often in poorly drained places.