In Northern South Africa and larger adjacent areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe, with the trees' height varying between 4 and 18 m (13 and 59 ft), they are often called "mopane scrub" (shrub).

Mopane wood is one of southern Africa's heaviest, with a density of 1.075 g/cm3 when completely dry, and is difficult to work because of its hardness.

Outside Africa, mopane is gaining popularity as a heavy, decorative wood, its uses including aquarium ornaments, bases for lamps or sculptures, and garden accents.

Mopane is fairly oily, seasons very well with few splits or shakes, and produces instruments of a warm, rich tone.

[6] Clarinets made of mopane are offered by the manufacturers Seggelke Klarinetten, F. Arthur Uebel and Buffet Crampon.

Mopane twigs have been traditionally used as tooth brushes, the bark to make twine and for tanning leather, and the leaves for healing wounds.

Colophon was the birthplace of Homer in Ionia, and was famous for its rosin, a substance obtained from turpentine or the gummy exudate of some trees.