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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. Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Varnishing Scientific Name Cola acuminata Trade Name Abe Family Name Sterculiaceae Common Names Abe, Abeu, Bissy, Cola, Cola nut, Cola tree, Coleira, Commercial cola nut tree, Dikenzu, Dikwa, Faux colatier, Goora nut, Kola tree, Korra, Makenga, Mukenzu, Muquesu, Suture Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo Common Uses Plywood Heartwood Color Purple Red Brown Pale brown Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Grain Straight Even Interlocked Straight Interlocked Texture Fine Medium Medium Coarse Luster Low Lustrous Natural Durability Resistant to termites Durable Very durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Perishable Non durable Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Easy to glue Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Hardness (side grain) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 36 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1326 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 35 28 lbs/ft3 Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 576 kg/m3 Hardness 601 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 560 448 kg/m3 References Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 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 Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London 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 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