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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
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
Substitutes
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Terminalia superba

Trade Name
Limba

Family Name
Combretaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Afa, Afara, Afia afia, Afodonko, Afraa, Aghan, Akam, Akom, An rin, Bale, Baya, Bese, Blie, Bokone, Chene limbo, Chene-limbo, Congo walnut, Dark limba, Dark noir, Djombe, Edo, Egean, Egoin nufua, Egonni, Egoyin, Eji, End, Faraen, Frake, Fram, Frameri, Framo, Frane, Frango, Frany, Gbararada, Ka-ren, Kegblale, Kojaagei, Kojagei, Kom, Kone, Kongo, Korina, Kosina, Kumkunbe, Landi, Light limba, Limba, Limba clair, Limba noir, Limbo, Moukonia, Mukonja, N'dimba, N'kom, N'limba, Noyer, Noyer du Mayombe, Noyer limbo, Offram, Ofram, Ojiloko, Owebala, Pe, Shingle wood, Tra, Unwonrom, Weiss, White afara, White limba, Yellow pine

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Zaire

Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Coffins, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Shingles, Tables, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Rare
Abundant/Secure
Generally secure within its natural habitat
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

This species is relatively secure, with little or no threat to its population within its natural growth range

Distribution Overview
Widely distributed from Guinea to Angola and Zaire. It grows in the rain and savannah forests, and is a good plantation species in West Africa.

Heartwood Color
Yellow
Brown
Green/grey
Orange
White
Red
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale brown
Greenish to greyish
White to cream
Brown
Grey brown

Limba sometimes has black, irregular streaks which give the wood an attractive appearance

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Red
Same as heartwood
Not clearly differentiated from the heartwood


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

Straight
Interlocked
Distinct figure
Distinct and very fine figure
Straight to interlocked
May be straight, irregular, or wavy
Clear growth rings (figure)


Texture
Coarse
Medium
Coarse
Medium
Moderately coarse
Medium coarse to coarse
Fine


Luster
Medium
High
Lustrous
Pronounced
High
Dull

Wood surface has a high, satiny luster.

Natural Growth Defects
Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive


Natural Durability
Non-durable
Perishable
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to marine borers
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to termites
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Non durable
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Perishable
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Heartwood has very low resistance to decay

It is readily attacked by termites, ambrosia beetles, and powder-post beetles. Felled trees require special preventive care to protect the heartwood against deterioration.

Odor
No specific taste
Mild odor


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Unspecified toxicity
Dermatitic effects
Respiratory effects

Wood splinters are reported to cause inflammation of the skin in some individuals.

Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid
T10 - D5s (4/4); T8 - D4s (8/4) US
Schedule J (4/4) United Kingdom
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Splitting
Distortion
Checking
Discoloration
Slight twist/warp
Slight surface checking
Slight end splitting
No surface checking
Severe end splitting
No twisting or warping
No end splitting

Shakes and splits are common during air-seasoning. Kiln-drying is often accompanied by minimal checking and warping.

Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Reconditioning Treatement
Easy
Dries rapidly and well with little degrade under controlled conditions


Kiln Drying Rate
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


Tree Size
Tree height is 40-50 m
Bole length is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Bole length is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bark width is 20-25 mm
Bark width is 25-30 mm
Tree height is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm
Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm


Product Sources
Supplies are plentiful and the material is available in the form of veneers and lumber. Price is in the moderate range.

Substitutes
Ako (Antiaris africana and A. welwitschii), African pterygota (Pterygota bequaert and P. macrocarpa) and Brown terminalia (Terminalia brassii) are substitutes for some end uses.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

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


Boring
Very good to excellent results
Fairly easy to very easy
Easy


Carving
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy


Gluing
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Satisfactory gluing properties


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mortise


Moulding
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mould
Good finishing results


Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Small
Stable
Stable when seasoned


Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to nail
Tends to split during nailing
Possible if prebored
Holds nails well


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to plane
Yields clean surfaces
Responds well to ordinary machine tools in all operations
Planes well, to a good finish
Planes to a poor finish


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

Heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment. Preservative penetration and retention in the sapwood are adequate.

Resistance to Splitting
Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Routing is easy
Routing yields good results


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to sand
Good sanding finish
Difficult to sand


Screwing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to screw
Screwing yields good results
Pre-Boring is recommended in screwing
Possible if prebored


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


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Easy to cut
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Suitable for veneers
Suitable for slicing
No steaming needed during bolt preparation.
Good gluing qualities

The wood is very suitable for veneering, and the figured black heartwood is highly favored for decorative veneers for paneling and furniture.

Steam Bending
Poor


Painting
Good results


Polishing
Poor to Very Poor Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Satisfactory results
Requires a filler
Excellent results


Staining
Finish is generally satisfactory
Finish is generally good
Stains well


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

Strength properties of the timber are sometimes reduced considerably by the presence of brittleheart. The wood is weak and is rarely used in applications where strength is of major concern

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength685910414psi
Density34lbs/ft3
Hardness731lbs
Impact Strength15inches
Maximum Crushing Strength33315506psi
Shearing Strength1246psi
Stiffness104212681000 psi
Work to Maximum Load89inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.370.43
Weight3326lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage11%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength482732kg/cm2
Density544kg/m3
Hardness331kg
Impact Strength38cm
Maximum Crushing Strength234387kg/cm2
Shearing Strength87kg/cm2
Stiffness73891000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load0.560.63cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.370.43
Weight528416kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

References
Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]

Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75

Bios et Forets des Tropiques,1974,Limba - Frake (Terminalia superba,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.158 pp33-49

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Limbo (Terminalia superba,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.9,pp63-6

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.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia

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

Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153

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 Nigeria Raw Materials for Paper-making 7,Fed. Inst. Ind. Res. Nigeria Research Note, No.26

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

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.,1959,Monographie du Limbo (Terminalia superba,C.T.F.T. Publ.,14

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

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

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

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 Lab., Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buck.

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

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. 1984. Terminalia superba - Limba. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page341.

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

Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

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

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

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Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color: A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London.

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