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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Brachystegia eurycoma Trade Name Achi Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Brachystegia spicaeformis Common Names Achi, Ako, Akolodo, Akpakpa, Akume, Anyan, Brachystegia, Ekop-naga, Eku, Etare, Kepuruk, Meblo, Memblo, Naga, Okwen, Otigbo, Ukung Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Nigeria Common Uses Carvings, Furniture, Heavy construction, Light construction, Plywood, Turnery, Veneer Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Rare Heartwood Color White Yellow Red Brown Orange Purple Pale brown Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Red Grain Interlocked Figure Stripe (figure) Interlocked Striped figure Texture Fine Medium Medium Luster Medium Low High Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin exudation Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Resistant to powder post beetles Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately durable Silica Content High Siliceous Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Distortion Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderately Difficult to Difficult Reconditioning Treatement Rapidly Easy Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 40-50 m Bole length is 0-10 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced in negligible quantities and exported only occasionally. The timber is occasionally available for purchase from U.S. importers. Its uses are rather limited, and supplies are adequate, since it is being exported in greater quantities. Certified Source Certified Source Substitutes Mecrusse (Androstachys johnsonii) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Moderate to saw Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult The moulding finish is usually poor Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Planes to a poor finish Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Screwing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Veneering Qualities Suitable for slicing Difficult to veneer Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Suitable for peeling Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Dnesity (dry wieght) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 45 lbs/ft3 Weight 44 35 lbs/ft3 Item Green Dry Metric Density 721 kg/m3 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 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series 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 Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]