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. 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 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