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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
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Silica Content
Staining
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing

Scientific Name
Ongokea gore

Trade Name
Angueuk

Family Name
Oleaceae

Synonyms
Ongokea klaineana, Aptandra gore


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Andjek, Angeuk, Angok, Angueuk, Anjek, Anojek, Balla-tue, Bobwe, Boleke, Boleko, Bui, Buleka, Dimuma, Dimuma dileka, Ekuzo, Elede, Gbui, Ibeka, Isano, Isanu, Kosin, Kouero, Ksin, Kuoto, Kuwi, Kwi, Limuna, Mobengui, Moungueke, Muketu, Muleku, N'sano, Nek, Nessano, Ngore, Nzieke, Okeka, Oleke, Oleko, Olekwa, Sano, Sanou, Sanu

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Zaire

Common Uses
Barge fenders, Bedroom suites, Bent Parts, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Harbor work, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Vulnerable
Status unknown due to inadequate information
Secure in many areas of its range
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Secure in Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Liberia. Its environmental status is currently listed as unknown because of inadequate information in Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zaire

Distribution Overview
The genus Ongokea is represented by only one species which occurs in the evergreen humid forests from Sierra Leone to Zaire and Angola in Africa.

Heartwood Color
Purple
Brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
White to cream
Pale brown
Brown
Pale yellow


Sapwood Color
Yellow
Same as heartwood
Paler than heartwood

The sapwood is not always differentiated from the heartwood.

Grain
Straight
Wavy
Figure
Closed
Even
Growth rings (figure)
Stripe (figure)
Weak (figure)

Straight
Wavy
Weak figure
Striped figure
Occasionally wavy
Curly
Clear growth rings (figure)

Quartersawn surfaces often exhibit a ribbon-like figure.

Texture
Even or uniform
Uniform
Medium
Coarse
Fine
Medium
Fine to medium
Even textured


Luster
Dull


Natural Durability
Durable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Very durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Sapwood is liable to sapstain
Resistant to attack from marine borers
Non durable

The wood is rarely attacked by termites, marine borers, or Anobium, but sapwood is liable to sap stain.

Odor
Has an odor
No specific smell or taste


Silica Content
Siliceous


Toxicity
Some toxic effects


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Splitting
Distortion
Moderate end spitting
Slight twist/warp
Severe end splitting
Moderate twist/warp
May warp

Should be quartersawn to avoid distortion due to large volumetric shrinkage.

Ease of Drying
Slowly
Fairly Easy
Difficult
Kiln-Dry using low temperatures
Fairly difficult to dry


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is straight


Tree Size
It develops straight and cylindrical stems above an occasional lobed or swollen base.

Product Sources
The tree is also a source of many important non-timber products. The bark yields tannin, and seed kernels are used for soap and lubricants. The tree also produces an edible fruit.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
High to severe
Medium blunting effect on tools
Blunting effect on machining is slight


Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Easy


Carving
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy

The timber saws well but slowly.

Gluing
Easy to glue
Good gluing properties
Difficult to glue


Mortising
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to mortise


Moulding
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to mould


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement


Nailing
Easy to nail
Tends to split during nailing
Holds nails well
Difficult to nail


Planing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to plane
Yields smooth surfaces
Yields clean surfaces
Responds readily to machine tools
Planes well, to a good finish

The timber is reported to plane, turn, mould, mortise, and rout generally easily

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


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to machine
Yields a smooth, clean finish
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Sanding
Good sanding properties


Screwing
May split in screwing
Good screw holding properties


Turning
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Polishes to yield a smooth surface


Staining
Good staining qualities
Finish is generally satisfactory


Varnishing
Very good response to preservative treatment
Good results


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = high
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very hard
Very heavy
Very dense
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1286619826psi
Density54lbs/ft3
Hardness2306lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength64169922psi
Shearing Strength2710psi
Stiffness197622701000 psi
Specific Gravity0.650.69
Weight5342lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage10%
Volumetric Shrinkage14%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength9041393kg/cm2
Density865kg/m3
Hardness1046kg
Maximum Crushing Strength451697kg/cm2
Shearing Strength190kg/cm2
Stiffness1381591000 kg/cm2
Specific Gravity0.650.69
Weight849673kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage10%

References
Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa.

Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

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

Broun, A.F.,(1899,Satinwood,Indian Forester,25(5,pp181-5

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

Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany

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.,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.

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 - C.T.F.T.,1973,Investigations and Tests carried out on Tropical Timber by several,Research Laboratories,CTFT

France - C.T.F.T.,Resultats des Observations et des Essais Effectues au CTFT sur :Angueuk -,Ongokea gore,C.T.F.T., No.140

France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,France

Freitas, M.C.P.G. de,1961,Madeiras de Angola Series 1,Reprint from Garcia de Orta Lisbon,9(4,pp699-711

Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun

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

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

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

Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159

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

Monterio, R.R., Pimenta de Franca, O.F.,1965,Tres Especies Florestais de Angola,Bol. Inst. Invest. Cientifica de Angola Reprint (Luanda, 2(2,pp209-18

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

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

Stone, H.,1923,Etude Descriptive sur les Bois Utiles de la Guyane Francaise,Faculte des Sciences de Marseille France

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