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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. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Natural Durability Numerical Data References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Haplormosia monophylla Trade Name Akoriko Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Crudia monophylla Common Names Akoriko, Black gum, Engenger, Idewa, Kah, Kak, Larme, Liberian black gum Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Carvings, Flooring, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Millwork, Mine timbers, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Wharf construction Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Orange Dark brown Reddish brown Brown Sapwood Color White to yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood Grain Straight Interlocked Even Figure Very fine Distinct (figure) Rippled (figure) Straight Interlocked Rippled figure Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct Broad stripe on quartersawn surfaces Texture Fine Fine to medium Luster Low Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Moderately durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from marine borers Very durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately durable Light-Induced Color Change None Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Gluing Easy to glue Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = large Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 17122 24667 psi Density 53 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2318 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Shearing Strength 2205 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 52 42 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1203 1734 kg/cm2 Density 849 kg/m3 Hardness 1051 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 155 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 833 673 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % 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 Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department 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 Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3 Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. 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