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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. 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 Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Sterculia oblonga Trade Name Yellow sterculia Family Name Sterculiaceae Synonyms Eribroma oblonga Common Names Awari, Azodo, Bi, Bong ele, Bongele, Bonog, Ebenebe, Eijong, Ejong, Ekonge, Eujong, Eyong, G'boyo, Kokoniko, Lom, Moan, N'chong, N'zong, Njong, Oha, Okilo, Okoko, Orodo, White sterculia, Yellow sterculia Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo, Uganda Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chests, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tool handles, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat Very little threat to its natural habitat in most areas in its range Unknown status in natural growth range due to inadequate inofrmation Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Abundant Its status in the wild in Equatorial Guinea or Bioko, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria is currently listed as unknown because of insufficient information This species is abundant and rather secure, with very little threat to its natural habitat in most areas in its range including Cameroon, but it is officially classified as Vulnerable in Ivory Coast. Distribution Overview This species occurs in tropical West Africa, from Liberia to Gabon, and is often found in the transition zone between humid evergreen forests and the semi-deciduous forests. It is also reported to grow in secondary forests. Heartwood Color Brown Purple Yellow White Red Orange Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Pale brown Brown Yellowish brown Reddish brown Sapwood Color Yellow White Red Brown Same as heartwood Paler than heartwood Pale-colored Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Rays (figure) Interlocked Even Stripe (figure) Other (figure) Weak (figure) Distinct figure Rays figure Striped figure Weak figure Shallowly interlocked Quartersawn surfaces produce an attractive figure Other figure Interlocked Distinct and very fine figure Abundant high rays produce an attractive figure on quarter-sawn surfaces. Texture Fine Coarse Medium to coarse Medium Medium to very coarse Luster Medium High Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Very durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Heartwood has very little resistance to decay Heartwood has little resistance to termites Weathering Excellent Odor Odor disappears upon drying Freshly cut wood has strong unpleasant odor Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4 T3 - C2 (4/4) US T3 - C1 (8/4) US Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Drying Defects Splitting Checking Distortion Severe surface checking Severe end splitting Severe cupping Moderate end spitting Slight collapse and honeycomb Moderate cupping Shakes may become extended Severe collapse and honeycomb Moderate collapse and honeycombing May distort logitudinally Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Difficult Dries slowly Kiln Drying Rate Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Medium effect Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Saws satisfactorily Gluing Easy to glue Satisfactory gluing properties Difficult to glue Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Medium Nailing Easy to nail Nailing properties are rated as moderate Planing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Difficult to plane Reduction of cutting angle recommended Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Permeable heartwood Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Easy to machine Variable qualities Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Sanding Fair to Good Results Easy to sand Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor results Fairly good response to preservative treatment Difficult to turn Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Good gluing qualities Easy to cut Steam Bending Moderate Inferior to moderate Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Poor results Good results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Satisfactory staining characteristics Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Tangential = large Bending strength (MOR) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Hardness (side grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium