Search for

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. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Berlinia grandiflora Trade Name Berlinia Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Berlinia grandifolia Common Names Aben, Adapo, Agyemera, Ajia, Apado, Berlinia, Ebiara, Ekpagoi, Ekpogoi, Essabem, Essaben, Essoule, Esule, Ewon pala, Gbor-du-orh, Gborduorh, Kibibi, Kpende guli, Lupemba, M'possa, Melagba, Melegba, Mubangu, Mutoke, Obuba, Obwa, Poculi, Red oak, Rose zebrano, Sarkpei, Sau, Shoemakerstree, Tshitemba, Ubuda, wepa Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building construction, Cabinetmaking, Construction, Decorative veneer, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Paneling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Structural work, Truck bodies, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Very little threat to its natural environment. Secure in many areas of its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview Occurs in well-developed gallery forests of Burkina Faso, as well as in Ghana and Central African Republic. Heartwood Color Brown Red White Reddish brown Pale red to pink Varies from pink red to dark reddish brown Red Purple Dark purplish brown Dark brown Brown Dark-Purplish-Brown irregular streaks or stripped veins are sometimes visible on quartered surfaces Sapwood Color Red Brown White White to yellow Pinkish Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Whitish Often shows a pinkish tint Different than heartwood Grain Interlocked Figure Even Straight Distinct (figure) Growth rings (figure) Interlocked Distinct figure Straight, interlocked, and sometimes very irregular Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Even or uniform Uniform Coarse Medium coarse to coarse Luster High Medium Dull Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is rare or absent. When present, it is sparse in amount Natural Durability Perishable Sapwood non-resistant to furniture beetles Non-durable Moderately durable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Very vulnerable to ambrosia beetle attack Very durable Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Moderately resistant to attack by termites Moderately resistant to attack by marine borers Odor No specific odor Light-Induced Color Change None Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed T6 - D2 (4/4) US T3 - D1 (8/4) US Schedule E (4/4) United Kingdom Drying Defects Distortion Slight twist/warp Moderate end spitting Expect resin/gum exudation Ease of Drying Thick Stock Requires Care Moderately Difficult to Difficult Medium to High Shrinkage Rapidly Easy Dries slowly with little degrade Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Substitutes Can be used a substitute for Oak (Quercus) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate Blunting effect on sawing is moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Fair to good results Fairly difficult to very difficult Fair results Affected by interlocked and irregular grain Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Moderate to saw Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Requires tungsten tipped cutters Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Good properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult French head has been recommended for best moulding results. Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Medium Moderate movement after manufacture Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Easy to nail Pre-boring recommended Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes to a poor finish Requires reduced cutting angle Easy to plane Difficult to plane Planing requires a reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees because of interlocked or irregular grain Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Variable qualities Easy to machine Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Sanding Interlocked grain may cause some grain tearing Easy to sand Screwing Pre-boring recommended Fair to Good Results Turning Very Good to Excellent Results Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Suitable for slicing Can be converted into highy decorative veneers for paneling and marquety Steam Bending Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Moderate Fair/moderate Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Staining Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory Staining properties are good Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Bending strength (MOR) = high Work Maximum Load = Low Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Toughness (total work) = medium Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shrinkage, Volumetic = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Resists denting and marring Heavy Hardness = medium Hardness (side grain) = very soft Dnesity (dry wieght) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Density = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = very high