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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 Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing 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 Turning Scientific Name Strephonema pseudocola Trade Name Aweruku Family Name Combretaceae Synonyms Strephonema appolloniensis Common Names Aweruku, Degbeme weli, Degbeme yawii, Kovui, Potopoto, Tentout, Tutuabu Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Sporting Goods, Toys Heartwood Color Brown Red Purple Black Greenish to greyish Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Pink Green/Grey Paler than heartwood Same as heartwood Grain Figure Even Straight Other (figure) Straight Other figure Texture Medium Fine Fine Medium Luster Low Slightly lustrous Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Very durable Resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Perishable Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Bole length is 0-10 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bark width is 15-20 mm Bark width is 0-5 mm Tree height is 10-20 m Bark width is 5-10 mm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Nailing Easy to nail Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Strength Properties Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Radial = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11442 17761 psi Density 45 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1658 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 44 35 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 804 1248 kg/cm2 Density 721 kg/m3 Hardness 752 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 705 560 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % 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 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 Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone 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