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Blunting Effect
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Ease of Drying
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Luster
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Staining
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size

Scientific Name
Brachystegia mildbraedii

Trade Name
Ariellia

Family Name
Leguminosae

Synonyms
Brachystegia nzang


Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Ariellia, Bomanga, Ekop evene, Evene, Mzang, Zebrano, Zebrawood, Zingara

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Plywood, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative

Heartwood Color
Yellow
Black
Brown
Green/grey
Orange
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Reddish brown
Brown


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Green/Grey
White to yellow
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood


Grain
Even
Closed
Straight
Interlocked
Figure
Wavy
Distinct (figure)

Straight
Interlocked
Wavy
Distinct figure


Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Medium
Coarse
Medium coarse to coarse
Fine
Fine to medium


Luster
Medium
High
Lustrous
Pronounced


Natural Durability
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Perishable
Non durable
Moderately durable


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Slowly


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries at a moderate speed


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed


Tree Size
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 40-50 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Gluing
Easy to glue


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Moderate working qualities


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results


Staining
Finish is generally satisfactory


Strength Properties
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Max. crushing strength = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Volumetic = fairly large
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = high
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength948814801psi
Density36lbs/ft3
Hardness657lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength46627284psi
Shearing Strength1713psi
Stiffness113113211000 psi
Weight3528lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength6671040kg/cm2
Density576kg/m3
Hardness298kg
Maximum Crushing Strength327512kg/cm2
Shearing Strength120kg/cm2
Stiffness79921000 kg/cm2
Weight560448kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%

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

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France

Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data

Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory

Letouzey, R., Mouranche, R.,1952,Ekop du Cammeroun,C.T.F.T,France Publ.,No.4

Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23

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