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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. Blunting Effect Boring 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 Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Heritiera utilis Trade Name Niangon Family Name Sterculiaceae Synonyms Triplochiton utils Common Names Atabene, Awabima, Bai, Cola mahogany, Damlu, De-orh, Denerenafa, Fiya-yaw, Hamon, Ka-fol-fol, Kwaeduma, Niangon, Nyangoe, Nyangoule, Nyangwen, Nyangwene, Nyankom, Nyankum, Nyanwen, Nyanwone, Nyawene, Ogoue, Pteryyota wawampe'e, Red cedar, Rezogoue, Wishmore, Wismore, Yankom, Yankun, Yauwi, Yaw, Yawe, Yawi-kaima, Yawii, Yawio Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture, General carpentry, Greenhouses, Handles: woodworking tools, Heavy construction, Joinery, Lifeboats, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer Environmental Profile Vulnerable with the possibility of extinction in the future Status in wild is currently unknown Secure in many areas of its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The species occurs in lowland evergreen wet and moist forest and swamp forest. A timber species which occurs commonly in remaining areas of forest in the Upper Guinea region and Gabon, especially evergreen forest. Heartwood Color Reddish brown Pale red to pink Pale brown Darkens with age Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Different than heartwood Paler than heartwood White to yellow Whitish Well defined Not always clearly defined Grain Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Wavy Even Closed Stripe (figure) Rippled (figure) Rays (figure) Interlocked Distinct figure Straight Wavy Striped figure Rippled figure Rays figure Occasionally wavy Generally interlocked High rays produce a distinct attractive figure on radial surfaces. Texture Medium Coarse Medium Medium to coarse Luster Low Lustrous Pronounced Slightly lustrous Dull Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Non-resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Susceptible to marine borer attack Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Resistant to decay Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Non durable Odor Unpleasant odor No specific taste Toxicity Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 T6-D2 (4/4) US T3 - D1 (8/4) US Schedule E (4/4) United Kingdom Drying Defects Slight end splitting Slight surface checking Moderate twist/warp Slight collapse and honeycomb No collapse/honeycomb Slight distortion Expect resin/gum exudation Ease of Drying Easy Dries rapidly with little degrade Kiln Drying Rate Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Bark width is 5-10 mm Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Product Sources The timber is often marketed with another similar but darker and somewhat heavier wood produced by (H. densiflora) which grows mainly in Central Africa under the trade name Niangon. The International Tropical Timbers Organization reports that Niangon is a fairly important source of timber in the producing countries, although prduction is decreasing. Niangon is a regular export commodity. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Hard, strong wood recommended for external door frames and greenhouses Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Medium effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Easy Moderately easy Areas of interlocked grain affect results Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is variable Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable Gluing Easy to glue Difficult to glue May require surface treatment for best results Glues well Pre-Treatment of the surface with a caustic soda solution or ammonia is recommended to remove exuded gum Moulding Poor moulding results French head recommended Movement in Service Medium Moderate movement after manufacture Large Nailing Easy to nail Difficult to nail Holds nails well Tends to split during nailing Planing Easy to plane Reduction of cutting angle prevents tearing in quartersawn material Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is resistant Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Variable qualities Moderate working qualities Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Difficult to machine Sanding Easy to sand Screwing Easy to screw Veneering Qualities Various figures can yield decorative veneers There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Easy to cut Steam Bending Moderate Knots have little impact Generally moderate Extremely variable Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Requires a filler Staining Finish is generally good Difficult to stain. Surface preservation treatments require to be preceded by preparation with ammonia or caustic soda. Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Max. crushing strength = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = very high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9735 13714 psi Density 40 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1299 lbs Impact Strength 27 28 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4721 7077 psi Shearing Strength 1597 psi Stiffness 1260 1448 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 10 10 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.5 0.52 Weight 40 39 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 684 964 kg/cm2 Density 641 kg/m3 Hardness 589 kg Impact Strength 68 71 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 331 497 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength