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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 Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Musanga cecropioides Trade Name African corkwood Family Name Moraceae Common Names Abome, African corkwood, Aga umbrella tree, Agbome, Agoumi, Agyemkama, Ajama, Amaya, An'fekan, Assan, Assang, Asseng, Bokombo, Bokuibe, Bossengue, Butwiome, Combo-combo, Congo-congo, Corkwood, Diseng, Djunia, Doe, Dwema, Dzama, Egbesu, Egeun, Egimamfuk, Egui, Eguni, Egunli, Ekomba, Ekombo, Gbawo, Glu, Govwi, Guima, Ikomba, Ikumbu, Juma, Juna, Kaliba, Kigere, Lisengi, Loho, Mouin, Moussinga, Mulamba, Musanga, N'govoge, N'senga, Ngogho, Ngovui, Odwema, Odwemafufuo, Odzuma, Ofika, Ogohen, Ojamba, Oro, Osenge, Ote, Otumbi, Parasolier, Peindo, Ro, Schirmbaum, Senga, Siang, Tshabi, Tshilombela, Tshilombelombe, Ufogho, Ukhorube, Ukporwe, Umbrella tree, Uno, Unson, wensone Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda, Zaire Common Uses Balusters, Barge fenders, Baskets, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Concrete formwork, Construction, Core Stock, Docks, Dockwork, Food containers, Harbor work, Hardboards, Insulating boards, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Model airplanes, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Naval architecture, Oars, Packing cases, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Raft floats, Rafts, Shingles, Specialty items, Sporting Goods, Stairworks, Stringers, Tool handles, Toys, Veneer, Wharf construction, Woodwork Environmental Profile Status unknown due to inadequate information Secure in many areas of its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Relatively secure in many areas within its range, including Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Uganda.Its status is currently listed as unknown in several areas within its range because of inadequate relevant information. The areas include Angola, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Zaire Distribution Overview The genus Musanga consists of only one species with a growth range confined to West and Central Africa. The species occurs from Guinea to Zaire and Angola. It is found in forest clearings, secondary forests, and old and abandoned farms. It occurs in abundance in localized areas and is often found in almost pure stands. The species is also suitable for plantations. Heartwood Color White to cream Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale red to pink Pale brown Greenish to greyish Wood color is reported to range from whitish or yellowish to pale brown and turns to a pale yellowish white color with age. Sapwood Color Same as heartwood White to yellow The sapwood is not indistinguishable from the heartwood. Grain Straight Even Straight Texture Medium Fine Coarse Coarse Luster Low Pronounced Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Durable Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Non-durable Moderately durable Non durable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Perishable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Susceptible to pinhole borers Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack by marine borers Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack by termites Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present The timber is prone to mold and blue stain Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules UK=L US=T14C6S/T12C5S - Drying Defects Distortion Checking Ease of Drying Reduce drying degrade by kiln-drying over air-drying Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m The tree is reported to develop stilted roots that may be up to 10 feet (3 m) high, and thin aerial roots that curve down to the ground. It is capable of propagating vegetatively by means of its aerial roots. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect Wood exerts little blunting effect on cutters Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy The timber saws rather rapidly and well, but it requires the use of less pointed saws for best results. Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy The wood is have poor jointing properties Movement in Service Seasoned wood is unstable, and exhibits considerable movement in use. Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to nail Nails hold poorly Holds nails well Planing Difficult to plane The material is soft and fibrous, and planed surfaces tend to be uneven. Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant The heartwood responds poorly to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Screwing Easy to screw Screwing yields good results Poor screw holding properties Painting Poor results Polishing Poor results Very poor polishing properties Poor polishing properties as a result of the soft and fibrous nature of the wood Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Radial = very small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Bending strength (MOR) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Density (dry weight) = <15 lbs/cu.ft. The strength properties of the wood are quite variable, depending upon origin and conditions at growth site. The timber is light enough to be considered as a substitute for Cork in many applications. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 4726 6642 psi Density 18 lbs/ft3 Hardness 319 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 1704 3106 psi Shearing Strength 882 psi Stiffness 1017 1020 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.19 0.23 Weight 18 15 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 332 466 kg/cm2 Density 288 kg/m3 Hardness 144 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 119 218 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 62 kg/cm2 Stiffness 71 71 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.19 0.23 Weight 288 240 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential 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 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 Doat, J.,1971,Le Parasolier - Une bonne essence papetiere Africane,Bois et Forets des Tropiques 137 &138, pp39-51 & pp49-57 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim Fouarge, J.,1953,Bois du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Fouarge, J.,1970,Essais Physiques,Mecaniques et de Durabilite de Bois de la Republique,Democratique du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.76 France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,France Gutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102 Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3 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 Meniaud, J., Bretonnet, F.,1926,Les Bois Coloniaux d'Afrique dans l'Industrie,Publ. de l'Agence Gen. des Colonies Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23 Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone 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 Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and Sons Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing: Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC, Plants Program, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.