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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Substitutes Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Pycnanthus angolensis Trade Name Ilomba Family Name Myristicaceae Synonyms Myristica kombo, Myristica ngolensis, Pycnanthus kombo, Pycnanthus microcephalus, Pycnanthus schweinfurtnii Common Names Abora, Adre, Adria, African nutmeg, Akomu, Anakue, Antenli, Anwor, Atenli, Bakondo, Bali, Bassa, Bemba, Bokondo, Bokongo, Bosambe, Bosenga, Boxboard, Boyei, Calabo, Cardboard, Cardwood, Dean, Denke, Diehn, Dihin, Dihn, Edna, Edua, Effoi, Ekom, Entro, Escamba, Etama, Etan, Etang, Eteng, Etienh, Etsi, Etsiw, Etsu, Gboyei, Hetere, Ilomba, Kiang, Kombo, Komo, Kpokogi, Kpoyei, Kpoyej, Kuurul, Lamba, Lifondo, Llombo, Lolako, Lomba, Lunaba, Lusenga, Moghan, Moulomba, Mukagato, Mulomba, Munaba, Muno, Mutuje, N'kombo, N'laomba, Nesamba, Netere, Ngitsa, Ngosame, Nigerian boxwood, Obala, Omachan, Ongano, Ote, Oti, Otie, Oualele, Pitchong, Pomponi, Pycnanthus, Qualele, Senga, Tamarkwa, Teke, Ten, Teng, Tian, Tidea, Tika, Tshilombe, Tshimbbuku, Walehe, Walele, Walfle, Whismore, White cedar Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda Common Uses Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Fine furniture, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Millwork, Model airplanes, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stools, Trimming, Turnery, Utility furniture, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wardrobes Environmental Profile Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Abundant Rather secure within its natural growth range in Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, and Uganda. Its status in the wild in Angola, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Sao Tome, Sierra Leone, and Togo is currently listed as unknown because of insufficient information Distribution Overview The natural range of the species extends from Guinea to Uganda and Angola in Africa. It grows in lowland forests, and is especially abundant in secondary forests. Heartwood Color Yellow Red Brown Orange Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish White to cream Brown Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White or pale gray when freshly cut Seasons to pink-brown Gray or violet shades may be present Both heartwood and sapwood are rather plain grayish-white to pinkish-brown, occasionally with yellowish or mauve markings Sapwood Color Red Yellow Color not distinct from heartwood Pinkish Grain Straight Figure Even Distinct (figure) Weak (figure) Straight Weak figure Generally straight, but not always Distinct figure Quartersawn surfaces are reported to exhibit a mottled figure. Texture Fine Coarse Medium Even textured Moderately coarse to medium Luster Lustrous Dull Non-lustrous Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Perishable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Non durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Very little natural resistance to decay in ground contact Susceptible to termite attack Susceptible to marine borer attack Rapid extraction of logs after felling is recommended to avoid degrade due to attack by insects and fungi. Odor Freshly-Milled wood has unpleasant odor which disappears upon drying Toxicity Poisonous Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed US=T3-C2/T3-C1 UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 UK=C Drying Defects Severe end splitting Severe collapse and honeycomb Severe twisting/warping Moderate end spitting Moderate cupping Severe cupping No twisting or warping High tendency for wood to split and distort Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Difficult Easy Thicker stock is difficult to dry Requires careful drying Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Product Sources The ITTO reports that the species is an important source of timber which is exported frequently. Substitutes Onzabili (Antrocaryon klaineanum and A. micraster) is a plywood substitute. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good The wood may split under frost conditions Blunting Effect Slight bluting effect on cutting tools Boring Good results Carving Good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Quickly Easy to saw Gluing Good properties Easy to glue Mortising Easy to mortise Responds well to machine tools in mortising operations Moulding Easy to mould Good moulding properties Movement in Service Stable Small Medium Nailing Easy to nail Holds nails well Good nailing properties Planing Easy to plane Good planing properties Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Works readily with hand tools Slight blunting effect on cutting edges Routing & Recessing Mortises readily to yield clean surfaces Sanding Easy to sand Good sanding finish Good characteristics Screwing Screwing yields good results Good screwing properties Good screw holding properties Easy to screw Turning Responds well to ordinary machine tools in moulding operations Veneering Qualities Easy to cut No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Good gluing qualities Painting Good results Polishing Satisfactory results Poor results Good results Well defined Staining Reacts with Iron to discolour wood Finish is generally good Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Weight = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Density = medium Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Air-Dried condition about 12% moisture content Bending strength is lower than Mahogany, and much lower than White oak. It is weaker than Mahogany or Teak Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6933 10474 psi Density 30 lbs/ft3 Hardness 749 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3394 5626 psi Shearing Strength 1214 psi Stiffness 1196 1328 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.39 Weight 36 30 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 487 736 kg/cm2 Density 480 kg/m3 Hardness 339 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 238 395 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 85 kg/cm2 Stiffness 84 93 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.39 Weight 576 480 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % References Bertin, A., Meniaud, J.,1949,Timbers of the Cameroons,Compagnie Francais du Cameroon,(Transl. by F.Jane) Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1950,Ilomba (Pycnanthus angolensis,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.13,pp39-42 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1975,Ilomba (Pycnanthus angolensis,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.159,pp39-54 Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35 Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Boulton, E.H.B., Price, T.J.,1931,Some Further Notes on Triplochiton scleroxylon,Tropical Woods,4(25, pp3-4 Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Fortin, Y., Poliquin, J.,1976,Natural Durability and Preservation of 100 Tropical African Woods,International Development Research Centre, Canada Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - C.T.F.T.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 Leaflets France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,France Garratt, G.A.,1933,Systematic anatomy of the woods of the Myristicacaeae,Tropical Woods,5(35,pp6-48 Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Gutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102 Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R. H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London ITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France. Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees . Clarendon Press, Oxford. Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer Lagos Kinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold Coast Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3 Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5 Meniaud, J., Bretonnet, F.,1926,Les Bois Coloniaux d'Afrique dans l'Industrie,Publ. de l'Agence Gen. des Colonies Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23 Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and Sons Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 United Kingdom - H.M.S.O.,1954,Report of the Matchwood Working Party,H.M.S.O. for the Board of Trade and Ministry of Materials Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13