Search for

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. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Albizia gummifera Trade Name Albizzia Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Zygia fastigiata, Albizia ealaensis, Albizzia fastigiata, Albizzia sassa Common Names Albizzia, Asihue, Avu, Ayinre, Bakwe kapun bongbo, Bangban, Bangbaye, Flat crown, Kasa-kasa, Kiririgwi, Kokko, Lubamba, Mapumbat, Mboromoro, Mchani-mbao, Mduruasi, Mepepe, Mfuranji, Mkenge, Mpepe, Mruka, Msame, Msarawachi, Mshai, Mtanga, Mtango, Mtsani, Mtsavia, Muanza, Mugarayense, Mugavu, Mukhonzuli, Mukuruwe, Mungerenge, Munjerenje, Mupambangoma, Murenjererje, Mushabeya, Mushebele, Mushebera, Mwethia, Niensiensi, Nongo, Okuro, Ol-geturai, Omulera, Osungu, Pampena, Platkroon, Possi, Sahati, Sakachi, Saliemo, Se, Set, Seyet, Sorai, Sorii, Uwowe, West African albizzia Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Balusters, Barge fenders, Bedroom suites, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Casks, Charcoal, Construction, Crossties, Decorative plywood, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture, Handles, Harbor work, Hardboards, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders , Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Naval architecture, Novelties, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Generally secure within its natural habitat Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Inadequate information in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zaire Distribution Overview A deciduous tree preferring forest margins and open forests throughout mountainous regions in Tanzania, from the coastal hills to Kilimanjaro and Kagera. It grows poorly in higher areas. It also occurs as a small tree colonizing mixed thickets and woodlands. This tree can also be found in some areas of West Africa (mostly confined to the highlands in Nigeria and Cameroon), but is most common in East Africa. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Orange Red Green/grey Purple Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Reddish brown Golden brown with a reddish cast Sapwood Color Yellow White White to yellow Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Even Irregular Distinct (figure) Stripe (figure) Generally straight, but not always Interlocked Striped figure Irregular Distinct figure Texture Coarse Medium Coarse Medium to coarse Medium Natural Durability Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to termites Durable Non-durable Moderately durable Resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Perishable Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately durable Susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Highly susceptible to attack by subterr. and dry wood termites Heartwood resistant to decay Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change None Toxicity Some toxic effects Respiratory effects Unspecified toxicity Sawdust can cause nose irritation in some individuals Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Dry at a slow speed Drying (speed) is fast Drying (speed) is fast T6-D4 (4/4); T3-D3 (8/4) US/T6-D4 (4/4); T3-D3 (8/4) US Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Easy Dries slowly with little degrade Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as Poor Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Low resistance to sawing Difficult to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Glues well Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Stable Small Holds shape well Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to nail Holds nails well Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Planes to a poor finish Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Variable qualities Difficult to machine Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Moderate Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Staining Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = very soft Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = small Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7021 10798 psi Density 33 lbs/ft3 Hardness 626 lbs Impact Strength 28 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4062 6340 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 973 1305 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.4 Weight 36 26 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 4 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 493 759 kg/cm2 Density 528 kg/m3 Hardness 283 kg Impact Strength 71 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 285 445 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 68 91 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.4 Weight 576 416 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 4 % References Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.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 Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1951,Albizzia spp.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Timber Leaflet Fouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38 Fouarge, J.,1953,Bois du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. 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 Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department Gueneau, P., Gueneau, D.,1969,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Malagaches,CTFT Madagascar Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5 McCoy-Hill, M.,1956,Timbers of Tanganyika - Mfurangi, Mfuranji and Mroma,Timber Technology,64(2204, p305 Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Pardy, A.A.,1952,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia - Albizzia gummifera,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1673 Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7 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 Scott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal] Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38 Stevens, W C,1961,Kiln Operators Handbook,HMSO Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda 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 Tanzania Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14 Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya