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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
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
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Nesogordonia papaverifera

Trade Name
Danta

Family Name
Sterculiaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Aborbora, Abumana, Acacia du Gabon, Ahia, Akumaba, Akumadua, Akumba, Alele, Apro, Apru, Apuro, Apuropurow, Arborbora, Awraw, Ayia, Baa, Bah, Bakabakue, Balake, Bana, Banu, Bello, Bukyu-akwa, Butuakwa, Cissinhungo, Danta, Denkyera, Denta, Ekumadu, Ekumbaa, Epro, Eprou, Epru, Ka-bakam, Kissin hungo, Kissinhungo, Kondofindo, Koti, Kotibe, Kotie, Kuapa, Majaagei, Mutsanya, Naouya, Odanta, Ogamiguia, Olbarbora, Olborbora, Opuropurow, Oro, Otala, Otutu, Ouringue, Ovoe, Ovoue, Ovoui, Owoe, Redwood, Sinani, Tsanya, Urhuaro

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zaire

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Sporting Goods, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tool handles, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat
Secure in many areas of its range
Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk)
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Rare in Sierra Leone, Vulnerable in Benin

Distribution Overview
This African species is distributed from Sierra Leone to Cameroon and the northern parts of Gabon. It is usually found growing with other species in dry deciduous and transitional forests.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Reddish brown
Red
Pale brown

The heartwood is reddish-brown in color, and the lustrous surface is similar to that of dark mahogany. The presence of small pin knots and streaks of dark scar tissues can sometimes mar the appearance of the wood.

Sapwood Color
Brown
Red
Well defined
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood
Different than heartwood
Bright red, purplish-red, or light reddish-brown


Grain
Figure
Interlocked
Distinct (figure)
Rippled (figure)
Stripe (figure)
Even
Other (figure)
Mottle
Straight
Weak (figure)

Interlocked
Distinct figure
Rippled figure
Striped figure
Weak figure
Straight
Other figure
Mottled or streaked figure sometimes

The interlocked grain is reported to produce a striped figure on quartersawn surfaces.

Texture
Fine
Even or uniform
Fine
Oily feel
Fine to medium
Even textured


Luster
Medium
Low
Lustrous
Medium


Natural Durability
Durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Durable
Moderately durable
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles)
Very durable
Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Naturally resistant to decay
Heartwood is moderately resistant to attack by termites and marine borers


Odor
Has an odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Lighter
Darker


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5
T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US
Schedule E; United Kingdom
Dry at a moderate speed

Over-rapid drying should be avoided, as there is a tendency to warp and case harden, with some ribbing and knot splitting).

Drying Defects
Collapse
Distortion
Slight end splitting
Moderate end spitting
Slight twist/warp
Moderate twist/warp
No twisting or warping
No end splitting
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
Rapid drying may cause warping and casehardening
Rapid drying may cause surface checks and split knots


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Slowly
Variable
Little degrade
Easy
Seasons well but slowly
Difficult


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Tree Size
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 30-40 m


Straight, cylindrical boles, which are developed over short buttresses are usually clear of branches for 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m).

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is a fairly important source of timber which is exported regularly.

The wood is exported in small quantities from West Africa. Adequate supplies normally required for large projects are difficult to obtain, but small orders such as needed for miniature or modelling can be filled.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on machining is moderate
Medium dulling effect on cutting edges

Blunting effect on cutting edges is rated as generally moderate, but can be substantial sometimes.

Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly easy to very easy
Easy
Slower speeds recommended for boring operations


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Easy to carve


Cutting Resistance
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Low cutting resistance


Gluing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to glue
Moderate gluing properties
Good gluing properties

The wood responds satisfactorily to all types of glues.

Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


The wood responds very well to slower speeds in mortising operations

Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mould

The wood is generally easy to work in, moulding and other machining operations, but there may be some tearing in material containing interlocked grain

Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Medium


Nailing
Difficult to nail
Slight tendency for wood to split during nailing
Pre-boring recommended
Possible if prebored
Holds nails well


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Special attention required
Responds well to ordinary tools in mortising
Easy to plane
Ease of planing is moderate
Cutting edges tend to dull rapidly

A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended to prevent tearing

Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Sapwood is resistant
Sapwood is permeable


Resistance to Splitting
Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to machine
Poor machining properties due to severe and rapid dulling of cutting edges
Moderate working qualities
Good
Difficult to machine


Sanding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good sanding finish
Fairly good sanding characteristics


Screwing
Easy to screw
Screwing yields good results
Possible if prebored
Good screw holding properties


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to turn
Very good


Veneering Qualities
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Easy to cut
Bolt preparation requires steaming

The timber is reported to peel to yield low grade veneers.

Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Moderate
Good


Polishing
Satisfactory results
Good results

A filler is sometimes required for best results

Staining
Finish is generally satisfactory
Stains and finishes very well


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = high
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium
Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large
Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Work to Maximum Load = low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very high
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Very heavy
Very hard
Very dense
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Toughness (total work) = medium
Toughness (total work) = low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = small
Shrinkage, Volumetric = large
Resists denting and marring
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high

The bending strength qualities of this species in the air-dry condition is very high, far superior to those of Mahogany. Compression strength parallel to grain, or maximum crushing strength, is very high - higher than in Teak or Hard maple

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1302618841psi
Density47lbs/ft3
Hardness1800lbs
Impact Strength44inches
Maximum Crushing Strength67809676psi
Shearing Strength2093psi
Stiffness147217661000 psi
Toughness208inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load914inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.610.66
Weight4645lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength9151324kg/cm2
Density753kg/m3
Hardness816kg
Impact Strength111cm
Maximum Crushing Strength476680kg/cm2
Shearing Strength147kg/cm2
Stiffness1031241000 kg/cm2
Toughness239cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.630.98cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.610.66
Weight737721kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45

Bentum, A.L.K.,1969,Properties of Ghanian Timbers - Kaku,Ghana Forest Products Research Institute Technical Newsletter,3(1,pp27-29

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Kotibe (Cistanthera papaverifera,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.10,pp171-4

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1974,Kotibe (Nesogordonia papaverifera,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.157, pp41-52

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

Bond, C.W.,1950,Colonial Timbers,Sir Issac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Chalk, L.,1933,Twenty West African Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire,Part 2

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough

Cudjoe, F.S.,1969,A Key to the Family Sterculiaceae in Ghana,Forest Prod. Res. Inst. Ghana Tech. Note, No.7

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1950,The Seasoning Properties of Exotic Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research Leaflet,No.44 and supplements 1 & 2

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

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

France - C.T.F.T.,1961,Resultats des Observations et des Essais Effectues au CTFT sur Kotibe,C.T.F.T. Information techique,No.117

France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12

France - C.T.F.T.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 Leaflets

Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board

Ghana,1967,Properties of Ghanian Timbers-Danta (Nesogordonia papaverifera,Ghana Forest Products Research Institute Technical Newsletter, 1(2,pp26-7

HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods. 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London

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

Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan

Kennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer Lagos

Kinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold Coast

Kline, M. 1988. Nesogordonia papaverifera - Danta. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 243-244.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory

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

Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Perrot, E.,1921,Les Bois du Gabon,Larose Paris

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,1958,Kotibe (Cistanthera papaverifera,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,13(2, p30

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

Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone

Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of Africa Woods 2,Tropical Woods 16(106) pp65-97

Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38

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

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Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen









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