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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 Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Light-Induced Color Change Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Uapaca guineensis Trade Name Abo Family Name Euphorbiaceae Synonyms Uapaca bingervillensis, Uapaca laurentii, Uapaca mole, Uapaca perrottii, Antidesma guineensis Common Names Abo, Alaba, Alebie, Alobo, Alohowa, Alohua, Alokaba, Alokoba, An-lil, Assam, Be-yo, Biyo, Borikio, Bosenge, Bou-rikio, Dombe, Dumbe, E-lil, Edan, Elehowa, Elekhua, Emido, False mahogany, Gag-assam, Gondi, Ile, Ishase, Jagale, Kaango, Kafaffago, Kafafogo, Kahie, Kahio, Kajafogo, Kayo, Kindi, Koe-lil, Kondi, Kondii, Koondi, Kulil, Kundi, Kuntad, Kuntan, Kwintan, Me-kundi, Mole, Mukusu, Mulengu, Mutakale, N'nan, N'sanvi, Nere-kere, Nja-kundi, Nsanvi, Obia, Obubit nkpenek, Okon, Onye, Oreng, Oriang, Orobo, Oyen, Red cedar, Rikio, Senchi, Shasun, Soang-nasa, Sofiro, Some, Somo, Somon, Suang, Sugar plum, Tiom'bi, Tshilengu, Tuo-le, Umpwenek, Voapaca, Yere, Yeye Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Canoes, Charcoal, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Endangered Heartwood Color Brown Red Reddish brown Red Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish Dark brown Brown Dark brown Sapwood Color Paler than heartwood Pinkish White to yellow Grain Distinct (figure) Figure Straight Even Straight Distinct figure Texture Fine Coarse Fine to medium Medium coarse to coarse Luster Lustrous Natural Durability Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-durable Durable Very durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately durable Odor Has an odor Light-Induced Color Change None Drying Defects Distortion Ease of Drying Rapidly Thick Stock Requires Care Fairly Easy Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is unknown Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is misshapen Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate Blunting effect on machining is severe Boring Difficult Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to Work Easy to machine Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Difficult to turn Veneering Qualities Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Diifficult to veneer Steam Bending Very Good to Excellent Results Tends to Degrade Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Painting Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11916 18226 psi Density 43 lbs/ft3 Hardness 992 lbs Impact Strength 47 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4911 7579 psi Shearing Strength 1334 psi Stiffness 1589 1835 1000 psi Weight 42 34 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 837 1281 kg/cm2 Density 689 kg/m3 Hardness 449 kg Impact Strength 119 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 345 532 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 93 kg/cm2 Stiffness 111 129 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 673 544 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References 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 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38 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 Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer Lagos Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5 Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T 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 Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda 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 Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen