The study of the chemistry and physics of African metal production has received more attention than the biology of African metal production (tree, plant and animal species that were part and parcel of ironworking processes), because archaeometallurgists rarely attempt to explain the properties of such species; for example, accounting for their selection for metal production and processing. One possible reason for such omissions is the rarity or lack of evidence as compared to slags, furnace walls and tuyères, which are common and durable materials on ironworking sites. In order to redress this discrepancy, this paper presents an investigation of ethnographic tree species, alongside the criteria used to select such species for charcoal production, as well as their socio-cultural uses. It becomes apparent that in this part of the continent ironworkers did not practice omnivorous consumption of wood for ironworking, but instead they were species selective. Selection criteria for preferred species were dependent on both technical aspects and socio-culturally relevant parameters. It is argued here that due to species selection, it is improbable that ironworking technology led directly to total deforestation.