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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 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 Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Microberlinia brazzavillensis Trade Name Zebrano Family Name Caesalpiniaceae Common Names African zebrawood, Allen ele, Amouk, Enuk-enug, Izingana, Zebrano, Zebrawood, Zingana Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Paneling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Skis, Sporting Goods, Stools, Tables , Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes Environmental Profile Little or no threat to its population Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Abundant Distribution Overview The species is distributed in West Africa, especially in Gabon and Cameroon. It is sometimes found in pure stands along river banks, but growing sites are often quite inaccessible. Heartwood Color Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Brown Alternating bands of light and dark tissue Sapwood Color White to yellow Whitish Well defined Paler than heartwood Grain Interlocked Distinct (figure) Figure Closed Wavy Growth rings (figure) Very fine Texture Fine Coarse Medium coarse to coarse Luster Medium Lustrous High Natural Durability Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to pin hole borer and longhorn beetle Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Heartwood is fairly resistant to termites and other insects Odor Unpleasant odor Odor disappears after drying Resin Content Contains resin occasionally Kiln Schedules UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 T2 - C2 (4/4) US T2 - C1 (8/4) US Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Moderate twist/warp Distortion (twist/warp) is likely Careful control is required to prevent degrade Ease of Drying Difficult Air-dries rather well Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m The trees usually have very thick barks, which are removed at felling sites. Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced in regular but limited quantities and exported regularly. The trees are difficult to harvest because they can grow to very large sizes and are often located in inaccessible areas. Harvesting difficulties and the need for quarter sawing, instead of the more economical plain sawing, are reported to add to the overall cost of the timber. Zebrawood is moderately expensive, and is available in limited quantities since its use is limited. Almost all the zebrawood sold on the market is quarter-cut. Veneers are also quarter-sliced to produce a straight grain, straight lined appearance, because plain-slicing produces a wild and unappealing appearance. Substitutes Muiracataria (Astronium leicointei) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect Slight to medium effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Easy to saw Cross-Cutting may produce rough surfaces Large trees are reported to often suffer damage in the form internal fractures which remain hidden until logs are processed. Gluing Easy to glue May need filler Good gluing properties Movement in Service Stable Retains shape well after manufacture Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to nail Planing Planes to a poor finish Difficult to plane Laning is rather difficult. Material containing interlocked grain may tear badly, but torn surfaces can be smoothed by sanding. Resistance to Impregnation Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Good response Sanding Good sanding properties Good sanding finish Belt sander recommended Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Torn surfaces is common with interlocked grain Moderate dulling of cutting edges Good results Veneering Qualities Bundles of veneers should be stabilized to prevent buckling Best veneers come from quarter sliced material Zebrawood is used extensively in the veneer form for cross banding and inlays. Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Good results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Shrinkage, Tangential = large Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = large Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = very high Weight = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very high Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = medium Density = very high Although it is strong, its uses usually do not require great strength. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11304 17186 psi Density 50 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2097 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 5465 8587 psi Shearing Strength 2575 psi Stiffness 1880 2172 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.64 0.66 Weight 46 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Volumetric Shrinkage 16 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 794 1208 kg/cm2 Density 801 kg/m3 Hardness 951 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 384 603 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 181 kg/cm2 Stiffness 132 152 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.64 0.66 Weight 737 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % References Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Zingana (Microberlinia brazzainllensis,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.9,pp71-4 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 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Edlin, H.L. 1969. What Wood is That?: A Manual of Wood Identification. A Studio Book, The Viking Press, New York. Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - C.T.F.T.,Recuil de Fiches Techniques,C.T.F.T. 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. Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Kaiser, J. 1989. Wood of the Month - Zebrawood: A Truly Exotic Species. Wood of the Month Annual, Supplement to Wood and Wood Products, Volume 1, Page 27-28. Kline, M. 1976. Microberlinia brazzavillensis - Zebrawood. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland Maine. 1994. Page 237. Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,1955,Zingana (Microberlinia brazzavillensis and M. bisulcata,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,10(11, p29 Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,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