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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Corrosive Properties
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
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
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
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Piptadeniastrum africanum

Trade Name
Dahoma

Family Name
Leguminosae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
African greenheart, Agbion, Agboin, Akasanumu, Atui, Banzu, Bi-eh, Bocachico, Bokundu, Bokungo, Bokungu, Bukundu, Carabali, Carbonero, Chen, Dabema, Dahoma, Dandad, Dane, Dubima, Ekhimi, Ekhivi, Elae, Elany, Eran, Erundu, Gau, Guli, Hediondo, Huilca, Itoumbe, Jondo, K-kuperb, Ka-bari, Koungou, Likundu, Mbele, Mbele-guli, Mbeli, Mpewere, Mugeye, Musese, Mussasae, N'singa, N-go, Nga, Odan, Odane, Odannan, Odanwoma, Redwood, Sanga, Singa, Tarahuilca, To, Tom, Toum, wenga

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda, Zaire

Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Charcoal, Cooperages, Decks, Domestic flooring, Flooring, Framing, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Moldings, Paneling , Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Partitions, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Truck bodies, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting

Environmental Profile
Status unknown due to inadequate information
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center


The unknown areas include Angola, Central African Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Zaire
This species is relatively secure within its natural habitat in Congo, Ivory Coast, and Uganda, but is classified as Vulnerable in Cameroon.

Distribution Overview
The species occurs in tropical West Africa, from Senegal to Angola and across the Congo region to Uganda. It usually grows in mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, and is often found as single trees on farmlands. The species coppices well.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Purple
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Brown
Pale brown
Greenish to greyish
Dark brown
White to cream
Light to dark brown, and often is a uniform yellow-orange to golden-brown


Sapwood Color
White
White to yellow
Well defined
Different than heartwood
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood
Pale pink to gray-red
Clearly distinct from heartwood

It is generally about 2 inches (5 cm) in width

Grain
Figure
Interlocked
Distinct (figure)
Other (figure)
Rippled (figure)
Even
Straight

Interlocked
Distinct figure
Other figure
Rippled figure
Broad stripe on quartersawn surfaces
Distinct and fine figure
Straight

Attractive stripe figure often present on quartersawn surfaces.

Texture
Fine
Even or uniform
Uniform
Coarse
Uniform

Woolly

Luster
Lustrous
Pronounced


Natural Growth Defects
Yellowish deposits in vessels


Natural Durability
Heartwood is fairly resistant to termites and other insects
Durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Moderately durable
Very durable
The standing tree is susceptible to Ambrosia Beetle attack
Non durable
Vulnerable to attack by powder-post beetles
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Naturally resistant to decay

Susceptible to attack by pinhole borers and moderately resistant to termite attack, except in South Africa

Odor
Unpleasant odor when freshly cut

Odor may be detectable when the wood is re-wetted

Corrosive Properties
Reacts with metals


Toxicity
Unspecified toxicity
Respiratory effects
Dermatitic effects
Sawdust can cause throat irritation in some individuals
Sawdust can cause eye irritation


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1
T2-D4(4/4);T2-D3(8/4)Us Schedule A; United Kingdom
Air drying prior to kiln drying is suggested


Drying Defects
Checking
Collapse
Distortion
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
Severe collapse and honeycomb
Moderate twist/warp
Slight end splitting
No end splitting
Slight surface checking
No surface checking
Tendency for some stock to collapse and distort during drying
Moderate cupping


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Difficult
Easy
Variable results.
Dries slowly
Difficult to kiln dry


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
Tree height is 40-50 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm


Certified Source
Certified Source


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Tendency to split during felling

Timber in the green condition may promote corrosion in iron and iron compounds

Blunting Effect
Little
Blunting effect on machining is moderate
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe
Very pronounced blunting in sawing
Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges
Blunting effect on machining is variable


Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly easy to very easy
Easy
Boring may cause wood to char moderately and break out at tool exit


Carving
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Respond well to ordinary tools in carving, with moderate blunting effect on cutting edges


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Difficult to saw
Sever blunting effect on saw-teeth
Saws well


Gluing
Easy to glue
Moderate gluing properties
Gluing is often difficult
Glues well


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good mortising properties
Difficult to mortise


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Tends to pick up during moulding operations unless reduced cutting angle is used
Poor moulding results
Difficult to mould


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Medium
Small
Moderate dimensional stability when straight grained material is properly seasoned
Material with interlocked grain moves considerably after manufacture


Nailing
Pre-Boring Recommended
Fair to Good Results
Easy to nail
Takes nails well
Pre-Boring may be necessary
Holds nails well


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Difficult to plane
Easy to plane
Reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended in planing interlocked materials
Planes to a poor finish
Good planing properties


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Permeable sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant
Extremely resistant
Resistant
Moderately resistant to impregnation
Fairly resistant to impregnation


Resistance to Splitting
Satisfactory


Response to Hand Tools
Responds Readily
Easy to Work
Easy to machine
Difficult to machine
Responds well to hand tools
Moderate working qualities


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Routing is difficult
May be some tearing in material containing interlocked grain
Easy routing operations


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to sand
Easily sanded


Screwing
Pre-boring recommended
Fair to Good Results
Easy to screw
Screwing yields good results
Possible if prebored
Good screwing properties


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Works well in turning operations, but interlocked grain may interfere with machining


Veneering Qualities
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Moderate
Moderate steam bending characteristics


Painting
Good results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory results


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Finish is generally satisfactory
Reacts with Iron to discolour wood


Varnishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = high
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Resists denting and marring
High weight
High in density
High bending strength in air-dry condition (about 12% moisture content)
Hardness = medium
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Crushing strength = high
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1061515718psi
Crushing Strength1392psi
Density43lbs/ft3
Hardness1636lbs
Impact Strength3431inches
Maximum Crushing Strength55208465psi
Shearing Strength2315psi
Static Bending9614psi
Stiffness150318431000 psi
Toughness243inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load59inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.530.63
Weight4441lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
Volumetric Shrinkage14%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength7461105kg/cm2
Crushing Strength97kg/cm2
Density689kg/m3
Hardness742kg
Impact Strength8678cm
Maximum Crushing Strength388595kg/cm2
Shearing Strength162kg/cm2
Static Bending675kg/cm2
Stiffness1051291000 kg/cm2
Toughness279cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.350.63cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.530.63
Weight705657kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%

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

Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75

Bertin, A., Meniaud, J.,1949,Timbers of the Cameroons,Compagnie Francais du Cameroon,(Transl. by F.Jane)

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1947,Dabema,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,4(4, pp51-4

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1974,Dabema,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.156,pp27-38

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1976,Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma,Bois et Forets Tropiques,n0.169, pp37-49

Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35

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

Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia

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.

Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153

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

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

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1955,Kiln-Drying Schedules,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Leaflet,No.42

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

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./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.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 Leaflets

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

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

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.

ITTO. New Marketable Species Technical Notes. Prepared by Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, 94736 Nogent-sur-marne Cedex, France

Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

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

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

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. (Green values only)

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)

Meniaud, J., Bretonnet, F.,1926,Les Bois Coloniaux d'Afrique dans l'Industrie,Publ. de l'Agence Gen. des Colonies

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

Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim

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

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

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

Scott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal]

Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1959,Survey of Africa Woods 4,Tropical Woods 17(110) pp42-115

Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda

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

Timber Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28

U.A.C.O. Timber Review,1964,There is a future for Dahoma,U.A.C.O.Timber Review, No.9,p6

Uganda Forest Department,1954,Dahoma,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet, No.8

Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1

Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47

Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London

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

Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13









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