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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 Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Bridelia micrantha Trade Name Assas Family Name Euphorbiaceae Common Names Adhumo, Aga-ofia, Aga-oji, Akati, An-ta, Aparyisie, Arasha, Asas, Asha, Asha gidi, Assas, Ata, Ataba, Awodze, Badi, Bempe pembe, Chemaguldet, Chikue, Chiukue, Dafin sagba, Ekuane, Epakotrubo, Essat, Essenge, Funiyomba, Ida-odan, Ira, K-ata, Kataza, Katazamiti, Katazarniti, Kensange, Kuwi, M'zerie, Mible, Mitserie, Mitzeerie, Mojenge, Msopa, Mukanganya, Mukoigo, Mukuegwe, Mureru, Ndegbeme-welui, Ndewei-guli, Ngorouet, Obadi, Obari, Ogangan, Ogangan neran, Ogangan nugu, Ogaofia, Ola ozalu, Omutarakaranga, Opam, Ota, Sabua, Sagba, Shikanganya, Tchikue, Tulinyi, Umhlambamakwaba, Wallinjang, Warrinjung, Yeki-le Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, South Africa Common Uses Balusters, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Charcoal, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview Found in forests by rivers, forest edges or open woodlands, savannahs and secondary forests, riverine woodlands, and gallery forests. It is adaptable to a variety of climates. The tree prefers sites along rivers and at forest edges at altitudes under 2500 m (FAO 1986). B. micrantha is found in Tanzania in Mbeya, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, and Iringa. Heartwood Color Brown White Red Green/grey Dark brown Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown Pale brown Seldom clearly demarcated from the gray or yellowish-white sapwood Sapwood Color Red Brown White White to yellow Different than heartwood Paler than heartwood Grain Even Closed Straight Interlocked Wavy Straight Wavy Interlocked Texture Coarse Fine Very fine Luster Low Lustrous Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Naturally resistant to decay fungi Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Difficult Tree Identification Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Bark width is 10-15 mm Bole length is 0-10 m Bark width is 25-30 mm Bark width is 20-25 mm Bark width is 15-20 mm Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced occasionally. The material is being promoted on the export market. Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate Cutting resistance with dry wood is moderate Gluing Yields strong joints Good properties Easy to glue Nailing Holds nails well Good nailing properties Easy to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Good planing properties Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Screwing Holds screws well Good screwing properties Veneering Qualities Good gluing qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Bolt preparation requires steaming Polishing Good results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8837 13774 psi Density 40 lbs/ft3 Hardness 995 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1215 psi Stiffness 1543 1781 1000 psi Weight 39 31 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 621 968 kg/cm2 Density 641 kg/m3 Hardness 451 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 85 kg/cm2 Stiffness 108 125 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 624 496 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] 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 Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda 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 Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa Pardy, A.A.,1955,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S.Rhodesia - Bridelia micrantha,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S.Rhodesia Bulletin No.1840 Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1 Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3 Tack, C.H.,1958,The Strength Properties of some Uganda Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Bulletin No. 5 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 Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1