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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 Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Symphonia globulifera Trade Name Chewstick Family Name Guttiferae Synonyms Moronobea esculenta, Symphonia gabonensis, Symphonia rosea Common Names Agheribedi, Ahoke, Ahurke, Amarilla, Anamy, Anani, Anany, Arguane, Arquane, Arquanne mekoa, Azufre, Bango bango, Barillo, Ben, Bera caspi, Beta, Beu, Boar gum, Boar wood, Bois cochon, Bolaka, Boloka, Bolongo, Boncillo, Botoncillo, Brea-caspi, Brick-wax tree, Buck-wax tree, Bulungu, Cerillo, Chewstick, Corban, Dibolongo, Doctor gum, Ehulike, Ejale, Enem, Enem onja, Gamboge, Hog gum, Hue, Igi odan, Karamanni, Karimanni, Kisonghia, Leche, Leche amarilla, Machare, Machre, Mangu-mangu, Mani, Manie, Manil, Manilparcouri, Manni, Manniballi, Mapelo, Marillo, Masagrie, Mataaki, Mataaki sabana, Mataki, Matakki, Matakkie, Mbela, Mekoa, Morombo-rai, Muangu muangu, Muyanja, Nianga nianga, Nianga-nianga, Nom ouie, Nom-ovie, Numgundo, Oanani, Okilolo, Olea baran, Osol, Ossodou, Ossol, Ovien edun eze, Ozoli, Paletuvier jaune, Param ancillo, Paraman, Peraman, Perman, Sabana mataaki, Sambogum, Sisako, Symphonia, Tshilunga noir, Usempe, Usonghia, Vanani, Waika, Waika chewstick, Wayepu, wee, Yellow mangue, Yellow manguo Regions of Distribution Africa, Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Central America, Colombia, Columbia, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela Common Uses Agricultural implements, Barge fenders, Barrels, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Cooperages, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Naval architecture, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Raft floats, Rafts, Railroad ties, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Sub-flooring, Toys, Trimming, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wharf construction Environmental Profile Status unknown in many of its growth areas Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range Endangered within parts of its natural boundaries Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Abundant This species is abundant and secure within most of its natural growth range, including Congo and Uganda, but its status is classified as Endangered in Benin, Vulnerable in the Ivory Coast, and it is either Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare in Cameroon. Its status in the wild in several areas within its range in both tropical America and Africa is listed as unknown because of insufficient information ( Distribution Overview A lesser-known species from the tropics, its range includes the West Indies, Central and South America, and Africa. It is rather plentiful in localized areas within its range, and thrives very well in swamps and marshy areas, especially by the sides of lagoons, creeks, and rivers. Heartwood Color Yellow Orange White Brown Red Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Reddish brown Pale red to pink Pale brown Yellowish, pale brown Yellowish brown stripes Red Red light brown Greenish/Grayish brown stripes Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red White to yellow Well defined Different than heartwood Paler than heartwood Pale-colored Grain Straight Figure Distinct (figure) Other (figure) Interlocked Even Rays (figure) Weak (figure) Straight Distinct figure Other figure Interlocked Weak figure Rays figure Interlocked Generally straight, but not always Backsawn material may exhibit a 'partridge' figure which is produced by numerous concentric zones of alternating light- colored soft tissue and darker fibrous zones. Texture Medium Coarse Fine Coarse Medium Medium to coarse Luster High Medium Lustrous Usually medium Figure Occurrence is variable Dull Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is rare or absent. When present, it is sparse in amount The bark contains a yellowish brown gum which darkens upon exposure to resemble pitch. Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Durable Moderately durable Non-durable Perishable Non-resistant to pinhole borers Non-resistant to powder post beetles Durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to marine borer attack Moderately durable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Very durable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately resistant to marine borer attack Heartwood susceptible to marine borer attack Heartwood has very little resistance to decay Heartwood has little resistance to termites Weathering Good Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T3 - C2 (4/4) US T3 - C1 (8/4) US Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom Drying Defects Distortion Checking Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Slight surface checking Slight twist/warp Moderate end spitting Slight end splitting No twisting or warping No surface checking No resin/gum exudation No end splitting No cupping, generally No collapse/honeycomb Generally free from spring and bow Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Easy Moderate Difficult Air dries rapidly under cover Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Rapid Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is unknown Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 0-10 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bark width is 15-20 mm Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Bark width is 10-15 mm Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber is produced in limited quantities from the species. Exportation is rated as low. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Moderate Blunting effect on machining is slight Interlocked slightly to moderately Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Easy Generally good Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Generally good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Moderate to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Easy to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Good gluing characteristics Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Easy to mortise Good mortising properties Finishes well Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mould Poor moulding results Good finishing results Moulds and shapes well, but shaped surfaces tend to be rough. Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Medium Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to nail Holds nails well Tends to split during nailing Possible if prebored Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult