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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 Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Scientific Name Kigelia pinnata Trade Name Abilu Family Name Bignoniaceae Common Names Abilu, Cucumber tree, Fungosi, Liver sausage tree, Mubve, Mubvewe, Mufungufungu, Mufungula, Mumbveve, Mupolota, Muvebe, Muvumvuti, Muzungula, Njakpe, Njakpokpo, Nyakpekpe, Sausage tree, Umvebe Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Togo, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Plywood, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Wheels Heartwood Color Brown Green/grey Purple White to cream Pale brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Same as heartwood Grain Even Straight Straight Texture Coarse Medium Coarse Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Perishable Non durable Moderately durable Light-Induced Color Change None Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Distortion Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 0-10 m Bark width is 5-10 mm Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Easy to glue Nailing Easy to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Polishing Satisfactory results Strength Properties Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 36 lbs/ft3 Weight 35 28 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 576 kg/m3 Weight 560 448 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % 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 Fanshawe, D.B.,1962,Fifty Common Trees of Northern Rhodesia,Natural Resources Board and Forestry Department, Ndola Pardy, A.A.,1953,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia - Kigelia pinnata,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1731 Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3