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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
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
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Antiaris africana

Trade Name
Antiaris

Family Name
Moraceae

Synonyms
Antiaris usambarensis, Antiaris welwitschii


Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Akede, Ako, Andoum, Antiaris, Bark cloth tree, Bofu-kenge, Bofue, Bofui, Bofuni, Bonkonko, Bovili, Chenchen, Diolosso, Egyany, Elwa, False iroko, False mvule, Fou, Hachu, Handame, Hanton, Jafo, Ju-u, Kakulu kodzo, Kan, Kesuba, Kirundu, Kudzo, Kyenkyen, Logotsi, Lulundu, Man, Mbondo, Mkunde, Mkunzu, Mkuzu, Mlulu, Mnguonguo, Muherere, Mulundo, Mulundulundu, Mumaka, Munsende, Mutie, Ofu, Ogiovu, Olwaa, Oro, Pau bicho branco, Pou, Ripi, Sansama, Sili, Terap, Tide, Tomboiro blanc, Toumboturo blanc, Tsangu, Upas tree, Zaadi

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Australia, Benin, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Plain veneer, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulpwood, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Rare
Status unknown in many of its growth areas
Secure in many areas of its range
Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk)
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Unknown status in Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Zaire

Distribution Overview
Tropical Africa.

Heartwood Color
Yellow
Orange
White
Brown
Green/grey
Red
Tan
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
White to cream
Pale brown
Greenish to greyish
Yellowish tan
Yellow - light
Cream - light


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Red
Same as heartwood
White to yellow
Not distinct from heartwood


Grain
Interlocked
Figure
Straight
Weak (figure)
Even
Stripe (figure)
Distinct (figure)

Interlocked
Straight
Weak figure
Striped figure
Straight to interlocked
Moderately to severely interlocked
Distinct figure

Annual rings are usually not discernible since the tree grows evenly all year round. The timber occasionally exhibits attractive striped figure on radial surfaces.

Texture
Coarse
Medium
Medium to coarse
Coarse
Moderately coarse

Pores are reported to appear as coarse vessel lines on longitudinal surfaces, and are often diffused uniformly throughout the wood

Luster
Low
High
Medium
Slightly lustrous
Lustrous
Dull


Natural Growth Defects
Large logs may have defective soft hearts
Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive


Natural Durability
Susceptible to insect attack
Perishable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to termites
Non-durable
Non-resistant to marine borers
Resistant to powder post beetles
Perishable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Non durable
Very little resistance to decay
susceptible to sap stain
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack by the powder-post beetle
Susceptible to attack by pin-hole borers
Should be extracted and processed rapidly after harvesting
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present


Odor
Has an odor
Unpleasant odor which disappears after seasoning


Toxicity
Some toxic effects
Poisonous
Dermatitic effects


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid
Dry at a moderate speed
UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5
Dry at a slow speed
T2-D4(4/4);T2-D3(8/4)Us Schedule A; United Kingdom
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid


Drying Defects
Distortion
Splitting
Discoloration
Moderate end spitting
Severe twisting/warping
Severe cupping
Moderate twist/warp
Tendency to stain and slight distortion may occur
Slight twist/warp
Severe end splitting
Moderate cupping
Kilning gives best results, with minimal warping and splitting
Air dries fairly rapidly


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Slowly
Easy
Dries rapidly and fairly easily


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries quickly
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Rapid
Naturally dries slowly
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)
Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight


Tree Size
Bole length is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm
Sapwood width is 15-20 cm
Tree height is 20-30 m
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm
Tree height is 10-20 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Tree height is 0-10 m


Certified Source
Certified Source


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Tendency to corrode and stain metals is controllable

Very little or slight tendency to splinter

Blunting Effect
Little
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild
Slight blunting effect on cutting tools


Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Fairly easy to very easy
Fair to good results
Difficult
Should be adequately supported to prevent break-out at tool exits
Easy

The wood is fairly difficult to bore because of interlocked grain and soft fibrous tissue

Carving
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Saw without difficulty


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Good gluing properties


Mortising
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Support material during mortising to prevent break out.
Fairly difficult to mortise due to interlocked grain


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Small
Medium
Shows only small movement after manufacture
Dimensionally stable


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to nail
Satisfactory nailing properties
Holds nails well


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Very Good to Excellent Results
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Planing requires a cutting angle of 20 degrees to prevent interlocked grain from tearing out
Ease of planing is moderate
Difficult to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is permeable
Heartwood is moderately resistant

Easy to treat using either open tank or pressure system

Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Works fairly easily with hand tools
Cutting edges should be kept very sharp to prevent the wood from crumbling


Routing & Recessing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Screwing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory screwing properties


Turning
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor results
Easy to turn
Difficult to turn


Veneering Qualities
Veneers easily
Veneers moderately easy
Difficult to veneer
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling
Used for decorative applications
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Slices into quartered veneers which usually exhibit an attractive striped figure
Moderately easy to veneer


Steam Bending
Poor to Very Poor Results
Unsuitable
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Very poor
Poor
Poor steam bending characteristics


Painting
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Takes paint satisfactorily


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory results
Poor results
Generally polishes well


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Finish is generally satisfactory
Stains satisfactorily after surface preparation
Finish is generally good


Varnishing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Satisfactory varnishing qualities
Good results


Strength Properties
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Max. crushing strength = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Not hard
Dents and marrs easily
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Bending stength to shock loads=low
Average weight
Average density

Its strength in compression, or maximum crushing strength, is medium - lower than that of Mahogany or Teak

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength53578301psi
Density27lbs/ft3
Hardness469lbs
Impact Strength14inches
Maximum Crushing Strength31275271psi
Shearing Strength1071psi
Stiffness95511471000 psi
Work to Maximum Load56inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.320.35
Weight4926lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength376583kg/cm2
Density432kg/m3
Hardness212kg
Impact Strength35cm
Maximum Crushing Strength219370kg/cm2
Shearing Strength75kg/cm2
Stiffness67801000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load0.350.42cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.320.35
Weight785416kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%

References
Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45

Babajide, Lucas E., Shegun, Ajayi D.,1966,Stiffness and specific gravity related to other mechanical properties for,seven tropical timbers.,Nigeria Federal Department Forest Research, Ibadan, Report No.10

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1964,Ako (Antiaris,Bois et Forets Tropiques,97,pp17-21

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

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1976,The Mechanical Properties of 81 New Guinea Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Res. Tec.Paper (2nd series) 11

Bolza, E.,1975,Properties and Uses of 175 Timber Species from Papua New Guinea and West,Irian,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Research Report,no.34

Browne, F.G.,1955,Forest Trees of Sarawak and Brunei and their Products.,Government Printing Office, Kuching, Sarawak

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

Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi

Cause, M.L.; Rudder, E.J. and Kynaston, W.T.,1989,Queensland Timbers Their Nomenclature, Density, and Lyctid Susceptability,Queensland Department of Forestry, Technical Pamplet No.2

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies

Eddowes, P.J.,1977,Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea: Their Properties and Uses,Hebano Press, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Edlin, H.L. 1969. What Wood is That?: A Manual of Wood Identification. A Studio Book, The Viking Press, New York.

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

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1950,The Seasoning Properties of Exotic Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research Leaflet,No.44 and supplements 1 & 2

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1951,Antiaris - Antiaris africana,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research,Timber Leaflet

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

Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim

Fouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38

Fouarge, J.,1970,Essais Physiques,Mecaniques et de Durabilite de Bois de la Republique,Democratique du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.76

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 - Comite Nacional des Bois Tropicaux,1938,Nos Bois Tropicaux Principaux Emplois et Essances Recommandees,Comite Nacional des Bois Tropicaux Technical paper (Paris)

Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board

Gotz, E.,1983,Timber trees of the Gambia,Stiftung Walderhaltung in Afrika and Bundesforschungsanstalt fur Forst-,und Holzwirtschaft

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.

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.

Jane, F.W.,1951,The Structure of Timbers of the World (Part 5,Timber News,59(2149,pp484-7

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Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

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

Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. (Air-dry Values only).

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Malaysian Timber Industry Board,1986,100 Malaysian Timbers,The Malaysian Timber Industry Board

Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.

Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23

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