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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 Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Ochthocosmus africanus Trade Name Abrahassa Family Name Ixonanthaceae Synonyms Phyllocosmus africanus Common Names Abrahassa, Araba-uji, Bokubi, Buwelekoloma, Fegurugoongo, Ka-thonai, Sasakate, Towa nyenye, Towane, Towanye, Towanyei, Tuafa, Tuanyei, Tundui-balo, Twanyei Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Zaire Common Uses Boat building (general), Carvings, Charcoal, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Turnery Heartwood Color Purple Red Brown Dark brown Sapwood Color White to yellow Grain Even Straight Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Texture Fine Fine Natural Durability Very durable Resistant to marine borers Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from marine borers Perishable Non durable Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Holds nails well Planing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Splitting Poor Satisfactory Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Screwing Pre-boring recommended Polishing Satisfactory results Strength Properties Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 58 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2318 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Stiffness 2167 2494 1000 psi Weight 57 46 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 15 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 929 kg/m3 Hardness 1051 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Stiffness 152 175 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 913 737 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % 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 Fouarge, J.,1953,Bois du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone