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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 Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Light-Induced Color Change Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Scientific Name Pseudocedrela kotschyi Trade Name Alu Family Name Meliaceae Synonyms Pseudocedrela chevalieri, Cedrela kotschyi Common Names Alu, Bonga, Cedar mahogany, Chiadiri, Damba, Dituturi, Dry zone cedar, Emi gbegeri, Emigbegi, Eputon, Eputu, Hard cedar mahogany, Kedemponasi, Krubeta, Krubete, Kubetee, Kubiti, Kudomponasi, Kurubeta, Longo, Oput, Siadiri, Sigorli, Soasina, Sokuasui, Toman, Tonam, Tonas, Tuna, Zingan Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo, Uganda Common Uses Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Cooperages, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Plywood, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts Heartwood Color Reddish brown Sapwood Color Well defined Different than heartwood Paler than heartwood Pinkish Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Interlocked Growth rings (figure) Rippled (figure) Weak (figure) Interlocked Distinct figure Weak figure Rippled figure Figure shows rays Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Coarse Fine to medium Medium Luster Low Dull Natural Durability Durable Durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Light-Induced Color Change Darker Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Nailing Easy to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Screwing Easy to screw Polishing Good results Satisfactory results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 50 lbs/ft3 Weight 49 40 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 801 kg/m3 Weight 785 641 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % References Bentum, A.L.K.,1971,Properties of Ghanaian Timbers - Krubeta (Pseudocedrela kostchyi,F.P.R.I. Ghana,5(1/2, pp20-1 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 Chalk, L.,1933,Twenty West African Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire,Part 2 Desch, H.E.,1948,The Cedars,Wood 13(2) pp40-3 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board 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 Kinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold Coast Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London