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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 Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Terminalia ivorensis

Trade Name
Idigbo

Family Name
Combretaceae

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Common Names
Ada, Ada boumbra, Afara duclu, Afara dudu, Afara-dudu, Afia, African greenheart, African yellow wood, Amire, Ampira, Anidja, Awenshin, Bagyi, Bahi, Bai, Bai-ti, Baji, Bajii, Banidi, Basio, Bassi, Baye, Be-ie, Black afara, Black bark, Black-barked terminalia, Blie, Bona, Bossi, Boti, Boumbia, Bouna, Bouri, Bragba, Brimstone-wood, Buma, Buna, Cauri, Chasemiich, Dzogbedodo, Ebi, Efremeli, Eghoin-nebi, Eghoinmebbi, Egoyn odan, Egoyn-odan, Egoyne lukan, Egoyne nebi, Egoyne-lukan, Egoyne-nebi, Emen, Emeri, Emil, Emine, Emri, Epepe, Esemi, F'araeneri, Farayemile, Farayomile, Fataromile, Fela, Fira-wase, Frameri, Framine, Framire, Gbasi, Idigbo, Ijaws, Indigbo, Ka ronko, Kekange, Kil, Kokango, Kung, Lauri, Lidia, Mboti, N'dagobrohia, Nkombe, Nkondi, Okpoha, Onhidgo, Onidjo, Ouhidji, Oweive, Owewe, Ronko, Satin-wood, Shingle wood, Tewogboye, Tilautaea, Tuhidia, Tuhidya, Ubiri, Yellow pine, Yellow terminalia

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone

Common Uses
Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chemical derivatives, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, General carpentry, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments: percussion, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Plain veneer, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Siding, Sub-flooring, Trimming, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting

Environmental Profile
Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions.
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Vulnerable in Cameroon

Distribution Overview
Terminalia is a large genus consisting of over 200 species of very large trees that occur extensively in the tropical regions of the world. The natural growth range of T. ivorensis is in tropical West Africa and extends from Guinea to Cameroon. It is usually found in abundance in primary and secondary forests and transitional zones. The species has also been successfully cultivated elsewhere in plantations.

Heartwood Color
Red
Brown
Pink
Purple
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale brown
Pale brown
Pale red to pink
Pinkish tint
Light deep red brown or yellow-brown to brown or dark reddish-brown
Greenish to greyish


Sapwood Color
Pink
Brown
Green/Grey
Same as heartwood
Paler than heartwood
Yellowish brown
Pinkish-brown
Not clearly differentiated from the heartwood


Grain
Straight
Figure
Distinct (figure)
Interlocked
Wavy
Growth rings (figure)
Closed
Even
Weak (figure)

Straight
Distinct figure
Interlocked
Wavy
Clear growth rings (figure)
Weak figure
Distinct and very fine figure

The grain is usually straight, but is sometimes interlocked, which produces a ribbon stripe figure on quartered surfaces

Texture
Medium
Coarse
Resinous and oily
Coarse
Uniform
Moderately coarse
Medium


Luster
Medium
Low
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous
Pronounced
Medium to high


Natural Growth Defects
Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive

Wood core may contain brittleheart, which tends to be less dense and may turn pinkish upon exposure to light. Brittleheart also frequently produces thunder-shakes.

Natural Durability
Susceptible to insect attack
Moderately durable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Durable
Non-resistant to termites
Resistant to powder post beetles
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Moderately durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack by forest longhorn beetle
Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles
Moderately resistant to attack by termites


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Unspecified toxicity
Sawdust can cause skin irritation in some individuals
Sawdust can cause respiratory irritation in some individuals


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
T10 - D5S (4/4); T8 - D4S (8/4) US
Schedule J (4/4) United Kingdom
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid


Drying Defects
Checking
Splitting
Slight end splitting
Slight surface checking
No surface checking
No end splitting
Slight tendency to distort and check
Moderate end spitting

Small tendency for knots to split

Ease of Drying
Slowly
Rapidly
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Easy
Dries rapidly and well with little degrade under controlled conditions

Good air circulation around drying stacks is recommended.

Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly
Naturally dries quickly
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is fluted


Tree Size
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Bole length is 20-30 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Tree height is 40-50 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Tree height is 50-60 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bark width is greather than 50 mm


Product Sources
The timber is used in large quantities for joinery in Europe, but it is imported in small amounts into the United States, since some of its uses can be met by many native species. Price is in the moderate range. Idigbo has been suggested as a possible matching material for Oak veneers to cut costs on solid sections.

The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced in limited quantities. Export is at a regular rate.

Comments
Corrosive Materials - Wet wood may react with iron and steel fittings to promote corrosion, and a yellow dye in the wood may stain moist textile materials. Wood from Ivory Coast and Ghana are reported to contain resin seams

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Little
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Slight dulling effect on cutting tools


Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly easy to very easy
Easy
Bores well with ordinary machine tools

Slow speeds are recommended to prevent charring.

Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Responds very well to hand tools
Good results


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Low resistance to sawing


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


Mortising
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Slow mortising speeds have been suggested since the wood is liable to char at high speeds

Moulding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Small
Stable
High dimensional stability after seasoning


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to nail
Satisfactory nailing properties


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to plane
Difficult to plane
Special attention required
Planes well, to a good finish

A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended in planing quartersawn material to prevent tearing.

Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Sapwood is extremely resistant
Heartwood is resistant

The sapwood has medium permeability.

Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Variable qualities
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory routing properties
Routing is easy


Sanding
Good sanding properties
Easy to sand


Screwing
Easy to screw
Good screwing properties


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to turn
Good results

It responds rather well to most tools in operations but there is a slight tendency for end-grain to break away when working material containing compression wood and brittleheart

Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Veneers easily
Suitable for slicing
Veneers moderately easy
Good gluing qualities
Easy to cut
Suitable for peeling
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting


Steam Bending
Very poor
Poor


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Good results
Requires a filler


Staining
Finish is generally satisfactory
Reacts with Iron to discolour wood
Staining (Characteristic) = coloured water-soluble extract
Stains well
May require considerable surface preparation
Finish is generally good


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Max. crushing strength = low
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = high

The timber is rather low in strength properties, and can be rendered even weaker if brittleheart is present.

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength727111554psi
Density33lbs/ft3
Hardness951lbs
Impact Strength17inches
Maximum Crushing Strength35936360psi
Shearing Strength1430psi
Stiffness110113801000 psi
Toughness137inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load57inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.420.54
Weight3732lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage9%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength511812kg/cm2
Density528kg/m3
Hardness431kg
Impact Strength43cm
Maximum Crushing Strength252447kg/cm2
Shearing Strength100kg/cm2
Stiffness77971000 kg/cm2
Toughness157cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.350.49cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.420.54
Weight592512kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

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

Bois et Forets Des Tropiques,1947,Le Framire (Terminalia ivorensis,Bois et Forets des Tropiques No.1 pp.48-52

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1974,Framire (Terminalia ivorensis,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.153,pp23-34

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

Bond, C.W.,1950,Colonial Timbers,Sir Issac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

British Woodworking Federation. 1995. Which Wood . Published by the British Woodworking Federation, Broadway House, Tothill Street, London.

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

Chalk, L.,1933,Twenty West African Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire,Part 2

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

Clifford, N.,1952,Tropical Hardwoods for Building,Builder,110(5689, pp338-9

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

Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough

Crossley, N., Ogunle, O.A.,1964,Studies on the suitability of Nigerian raw materials for paper making VI,Fed. Inst. Ind. Res. Nigeria Research report,No.25

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.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1955,Kiln-Drying Schedules,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Leaflet,No.42

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1968,Report on a Consignment of Heglig (Balanites aegyptiaca) from the Republic,of the Sudan,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Reports on,Overseas Timber, No.9

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

France - C.T.F.T.,1961,Resultats des Observations et des Essais Effectues au CTFT sur Framire,C.T.F.T. Information Tec., No.115

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

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

Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32

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.

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

Kline, M. 1987. Terminalia ivorensis - Idigbo. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 339-340.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory

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.

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

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

Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

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

Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38

Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1959,Survey of Africa Woods 4,Tropical Woods 17(110) pp42-115

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.

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen

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Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13









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