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Blunting Effect
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
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Silica Content
Staining
Strength Properties
Substitutes
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities
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Common Names
Akume, Bubinga, Buvenga, Ebana, Essingang, Irun nduk, Kevazingo, Kevazingu, Lianu, Milne, Moubaka, Mouega, Mutenye, Ovang, Oveng, Waka, Waku
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution
[VIEW MAP]
Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire
Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tool handles, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative
Environmental Profile
| Status unsure as a result of insufficient information |
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| Status unknown in many of its growth areas |
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| Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions. |
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| Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare in some parts of its natural range |
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Extinct, Endangered, Rare, or Vulnerable in Gabon. Its environmental status in the wild is listed as unknown because of insufficient information in Angola, Cameroon, and Nigeria
Distribution Overview
West Africa, primarily in Gabon. Its range overlaps with two other closely related Guibourtia species, G. demeusei (which is more widely distributed from southeastern Nigeria through Cameroon and Gabon to the Congo Basin) and G. tessmannii (which grows mainly in Cameroon).
Heartwood Color
| Brown |
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| Red |
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| Yellow |
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| Black |
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| Purple |
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| Orange |
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| Pale red to pink |
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| Reddish brown |
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| Brown |
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The heartwood is pink or red brown with purple streaks.
Sapwood Color
| White |
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| Yellow |
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| Red |
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| Green/Grey |
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| Pink |
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| White to yellow |
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Grain
| Figure |
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| Distinct (figure) |
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| Straight |
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| Interlocked |
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| Even |
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| Closed |
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| Wavy |
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| Irregular |
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| Straight |
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| Distinct figure |
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| Interlocked |
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| Wavy |
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| Irregular |
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| Distinct and very fine figure |
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Irregular grain in some logs is reported to produce highly decorative figure to rotary-cut veneer.
Texture
| Medium |
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| Fine |
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| Fine |
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| Medium |
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| Fine to medium |
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| Even textured |
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| Coarse |
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Luster
Natural Durability
| Moderately durable |
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| Durable |
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| Susceptible to insect attack |
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| Very durable |
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| Non-durable |
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| Resistant to marine borers |
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| Non-resistant to powder post beetles |
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| Resistant to termites |
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| Perishable |
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| Resistant to powder post beetles |
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| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) |
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| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles |
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| Durable |
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| Vulnerable to attack by pinhole borers |
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| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) |
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| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree |
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| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log |
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| Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack |
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| Moderately resistant to marine borer attack |
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| Moderately resistant to decay |
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| Moderately resistant to attack by termites |
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| Moderately resistant to attack by marine borers |
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| Moderately durable |
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Odor
| Unpleasent odor associated with freshly milled wood |
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Freshly-Milled wood has a strong unpleasant odor which disappears after the wood is dried
Silica Content
| High |
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| Likely to have significant impact on machining |
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| Contains silica |
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Kiln Schedules
| Dry at a slow speed |
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| T2 - C2 (4/4); T2 - C1 (8/4) US |
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Drying Defects
| Checking |
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| Splitting |
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| Slight end splitting |
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| No end splitting |
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| Moderate end spitting |
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Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy |
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| Moderately Difficult to Difficult |
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| Easy |
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| Difficult |
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Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
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| Bole/stem form is straight |
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| Bole/stem form is cylindrical |
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Tree Size
| Sapwood width is 5-10 cm |
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| Bole length is 10-20 m |
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| Tree height is 10-20 m |
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| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
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| Tree height is 30-40 m |
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| Tree height is 20-30 m |
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| Bole length is 0-10 m |
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| Tree height is 0-10 m |
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Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is a regular source of timber for export.
Three closely similar species of the genus Guibourtia are the source of Bubinga on the market. Highly figured material from the species is referred to in the trade as Kevazingo. The three species are G. demeusei from Nigeria to Congo, G. tessmannii from Cameroon, and G. pellegriniana from Gabon.
Substitutes
Muiracataria (Astronium leicointei) and Pao rosa (Swartzia fistuloides)
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Blunting Effect
| High to severe |
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| Cuting edges are dulled moderately |
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| Blunting effect on machining is slight |
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| Blunting effect on machining is moderate |
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Dulling effect on tool edges is moderate since the wood is rather dense and heavy.
Cutting Resistance
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw |
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| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
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| Difficult to saw |
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Gluing
| Easy to glue |
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| Difficult to glue |
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Mortising
Moulding
Nailing
| Difficult to nail |
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| Pre-boring recommended |
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| Possible if prebored |
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| Good nailing qualities |
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Planing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
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| Easy to plane |
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| Responds satisfactorily to all woodworking operations |
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| Planes to a poor finish |
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| Good response to both hand and machine tools |
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The wood works well in most woodworking operations, including, planing, boring, moulding, and mortising. It responds generally well to hand and machine tools, but gum pockets may cause some difficulty while silica may cause cutting edges to blunt prematurely.
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood |
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| Resistant sapwood |
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| Permeable sapwood |
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| Heartwood is extremely resistant |
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| Sapwood is moderately resistant |
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| Heartwood is resistant |
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Response to Hand Tools
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work |
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| Easy to Work |
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| Easy to machine |
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| Good response to hand tools |
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Slight dulling effect on cutting tools may occur due to silica content.
Sanding
Screwing
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Fair to Good Results |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Turns well |
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| Easy to turn |
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Veneering Qualities
| Various figures can yield decorative veneers |
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Some logs are highly figured and are converted into attractive veneers for decorative applications such as, panelling, inlay work, high class furniture, and fancy turnery work.
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Good results |
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| Excellent results |
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Staining
Varnishing
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = high |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate |
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| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft |
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| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = very high |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = high |
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| Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate |
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| Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = small |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = small |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium |
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| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = large |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = large |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low |
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| Hardness (side grain) = very hard |
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| Hardness (side grain) = hard |
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| Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = medium |
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Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| | | |
| Bending Strength | 16108 | 24239 | psi |
| Density | | 55 | lbs/ft3 |
| Hardness | | 2628 | lbs |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 6899 | 10324 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | | 1883 | psi |
| Stiffness | 1665 | 2101 | 1000 psi |
| Specific Gravity | | 0.8 | |
| Weight | 53 | 52 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | | % |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 12 | | % |
| | | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| | | |
| Bending Strength | 1132 | 1704 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | | 881 | kg/m3 |
| Hardness | | 1192 | kg |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 485 | 725 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | | 132 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 117 | 147 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Specific Gravity | | 0.8 | |
| Weight | 849 | 833 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | | % |
References
Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Bubinga (Guiboutia spp,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.12,pp429-432
Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1977,Bubinga (Guibourtia spp,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.173, pp23-35
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
Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO
France - C.T.F.T.,1961,Resultats des Observations et des Essais effectues au C.T.F.T. sur Bubinga,(Guibourtia spp.,C.T.F.T.,Information Tec.,No.118
France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12
HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods. 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data
ITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France.
Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan
Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.
Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC
Rendle, B.J. Editor. 1969. World Timbers, Volume One - Europe & Africa. Published by Ernest Benn Limited, Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London.
Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London
Saint-Aubin, G. de,1963,La Foret du Gabon,CTFT Publ., No.21
Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T
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
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