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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 Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Irvingia grandifolia Trade Name Irvingia Family Name Simaroubaceae Common Names Akpulu, Alendongwe, Andongwe, Apepere, Arhuekhue, Irvingia, Molinda, Oenda, Ogbo-ako, Olene, Zembila Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bearings & bushings, Boat building (general), Boat building, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Canoes, Construction, Domestic flooring, Excelsior, Factory construction, Flooring, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders , Lifeboats, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Mine timbers, Parquet flooring, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Tool handles, Truck bodies, Turnery, Utility poles, Vehicle parts Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The species occurs in the dense rain forests in Congo and Burundi, and is usually found near creeks, occasionally in semi-dry forests. Heartwood Color White Red Brown Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Gray luster Golden brown or various shades of brown Sapwood Color Red White White to yellow Yellow/Brown Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Grain Straight Even Straight Even Texture Medium Coarse Fine to medium Medium Fine Even textured Luster High Natural Durability Perishable Moderately durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to longhorn beetle attack Susceptible to attack from the pinhole borer beetle Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Non durable Only occasionally attacked by termites and marine borers. Otherwise, it is very resilient. The wood has very good weathering qualities, and is suitable for exterior applications. Odor No specific smell or taste Resin Content Resin cells present Drying Defects Volumetric shrinkage is pronounced, but rather even. Logs should be converted soon after felling and seasoned under carefully controlled conditions Ease of Drying Fairly difficult to penetrate with preservatives Difficult Significant care is usually required to avoid or reduce degrade. Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Bole length is 0-10 m Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate The wood exerts medium blunting effect on cutting tools, mainly because of resin deposits in the cells. Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy The wood saws slowly, but well. Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Difficult to nail Tends to split during nailing Nail-Holding properties are good only in large dimension lumber. Planing Difficult to plane The wood is very difficult to plane because of the dulling effect of resin cells on cutting edges. Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is resistant Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Dulling effect on cutting edges due to resin deposits in the wood may present some difficulties Screwing Poor screwing properties Large dimension lumber holds screws well Polishing Satisfactory results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Radial = large Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Bending strength (MOR) = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = hard Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 16139 23968 psi Hardness 2628 lbs Impact Strength 18 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 6970 10599 psi Shearing Strength 2912 psi Stiffness 2082 2397 1000 psi Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1134 1685 kg/cm2 Hardness 1192 kg Impact Strength 45 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 490 745 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 204 kg/cm2 Stiffness 146 168 1000 kg/cm2 Radial Shrinkage 6 % 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 Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim 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. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan 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 Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim 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