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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 Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Parkia filicoidea Trade Name African locust bean Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Parkia hildebrandtii Common Names African locust bean, Atsho, Atshomi, Atshong-tsho, Budo, Budu, Dawa-dawa, Doho, Dori, Dschunuga, Du, Dua, Duo, Duwan, Elo, Ete-edi-uku, Ewa, Ewo, Gotschone, Igba, Igba-iyere, Irugba, Iyere, Joge, Kapaja, Katchuno, Kwachini, Lonchi, Maito, Mkunde, Mnienzi, Moto, Mudus, Mujojo, Narehi, Nune, Nunuhi, Ogirili-igala, Ojon, Ojon koran, Pipigbale, Runo, Sirni, Soronwo, Sulo, Sung, Ugba, Ullo, Wo, Wo-ti Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Congo, Kenya Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: general, Ladders, Light construction, Matches, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Sporting Goods, Toys Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellow Purple Black Orange Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown White to cream Reddish brown Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish Dark brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Green/Grey Pink Same as heartwood White to yellow Paler than heartwood Grain Interlocked Figure Mottled (figure) Interlocked Mottled figure Texture Coarse Medium Fine Even or uniform Uniform Coarse Luster Medium High Dull Natural Durability Durable Very durable Resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to marine borers Moderately durable Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-durable Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Perishable Odor Has an odor Light-Induced Color Change Darker Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Distortion Checking Splitting Moderate twist/warp Moderate cupping Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Moderately Difficult to Difficult Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Very slow Drying rate is slow Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect Moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Carving Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Holds nails well Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is permeable Resistance to Splitting Good Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities Good gluing qualities Suitable for peeling No steaming needed during bolt preparation. Moderately easy to veneer Drying degrade is moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splits Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 31 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 30 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 496 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 480 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % 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 Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda 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 Tanzania Forest Division,1967,The Weights and Shrinkage of some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sect. Technical Note,No.25 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya