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WENGE

 

 

TRADE NAME

WENGE

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Millettia laurentii De Wild.

 

FAMILY

Fabaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Central Africa

Camerron : AWOUNG
Congo : WENGE
Zaire : WENGE
Mozambique : JAMBIRE
Tanzania : MPANDE
France, W. Germany, Great-Britain : WENGE, PANGA-PANGA

* Corresponds to a close species : Millettia stuhlmanii, with different physical characteristics

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = LOW

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, whitish

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellowish brown toning down to purplish brown, with pink-brown thin stripes
  • Grain : Straight to slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Coarse
  • Silver figure : –

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1100 – 1200
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy to very heavy) 870
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (large) 0.70
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 10.0
  • Total radial swelling R% = 6.3
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 85
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 200
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 17000

 

 

END USE

  • Domestic and heavy duty flooring
  • High class furniture
  • Turnery
  • Knife-handles and brush backs
  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet work
  • Interior fittings

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Possible defects ; Brittle heart, Boreholes.

 
TIAMA

 

TRADE NAME

TIAMA

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Entandrophragma angolense C.D. C.
  • E. congoense A. Chev.

 

FAMILY

Meliaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa – East Africa

Ivory Coast :TIAMA
Ghana : EDINAM
Nigeria : GEDU-NOHOR
Equat. Guinea : DONGOMANGUILA
Gabon : ABEUBEGNE
Congo : KILUKA
Angola : LIVUITE, ACUMINATA*
Zaire : LIFAKI, VOVO
Uganda : MUKUSU
W. Germany : TIAMA-MAHAGONI, ACUMINATA
Great-Britain : GEDU-NOHOR

*E. congoense var. acuminata : offers a darker wood, with a finer texture, which similar to SAPELLI

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = REGUL., FAIRLY IMP.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Demarcated, whitish or pinkish, 10 cm (sometimes very thick)

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Red-brown, darkening slightly on exposure
  • Grain : Slightly/occasionally interlocked to highly/frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Medium to coarse
  • Silver figure : Fine

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 800 – 900
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 560
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.40
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 7.8
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.9
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 47
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 118
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 9000

 

 

END USE

  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet work
  • Plywood (faces)
  • Exterior joinery (treated)
  • Furniture
  • Domestic flooring
  • Interior fittings – Stairs
  • Interior joinery – Paneling

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Perishable to moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – An alternate for SIPO, KOSIPO, SAPELLI and AFRICAN ACAJOU.

 
TALI

 

TRADE NAME

TALI (MISSANDA)

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Erythrophleum ivorense A. Chev.
  • Erythrophleum suaveolens Brenan

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa – East Africa*

Ivory Coast : ALUI, TALI
Senegal : TALI
Sierra Leone : GOGBEI
Guinea Bissau : MANCONE
Ghana : POTRODOM
Nigeria : ERUN, SASSWOOD
Cameroon : ELONE
Gabon : ELOUN
Equat. Guinea : ELONDO
Congo : N’ KASSA
Zaire : KASSA
Mozambique : MISSANDA
Tanzania : MWAVI
Zambia : MUAVE
Great Britain : MISSANDA
* East African TALI are lighter coloured.

Pr. = OCC. (PROMOTION) Ex. = LOW

 

 

SAPWOOD

Yellowish white to pinkish white, clearly distinct.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellow -brown to red brown, darkening on exposure
  • Grain : Slightly/occasionally interlocked to highly/frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Coarse
  • Silver figure : –

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1100 – 1200
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 900
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium to large) 0.57
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 9.2
  • Total radial swelling R% = 5.4
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 78
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 177
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 15700

 

 

END USE

  • Heavy exterior joinery
  • Heavy duty flooring
  • Railway sleepers
  • Harbor and dock work
  • Wagon trays
  • Turnery
  • Heavy construction – Bridges

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Resistant to marine borers
    – TALI from East Africa are lighter coloured and with a more uniform aspect.

 
SIPO

 

TRADE NAME

SIPO

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Entandrophragma utile Sprague

 

FAMILY

Meliaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa – East Africa

Ivory Coast : SIPO
Ghana, Nigeria : UTILE
Cameroon : ASSENG-ASSIE
Equat. Guinea : ABEBAY
Gabon : ASSI
Zaire : LIBOYOI
Angola : KALUNGI
Uganda : MUFUMBI
Great Britain : UTILE
W. Germany : SIPO-MAHAGONI

Pr. = VERY IMP. (decreasing) Ex. = IMP., REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Pinkish white, clearly demarcated

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Red brown, slightly purplish
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked (frequent)
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Medium
  • Ribbon figure on quartered surfaces, possible resin pockets.

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 850 – 950
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 610
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.41
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 6.8
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.7
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 55
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 127
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 10700

 

 

END USE

  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet work
  • Plywood (faces)
  • High-class furniture
  • Exterior joinery (windows)
  • Interior joinery – paneling
  • Stairs – Interior fitttings
  • Turnery
  • Boat construction

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Possible substitute for Swietenia macrophylla (MAHOGANY)
    – 2 types of bark on logs : similar to BEECH or to PINE.

 
SAPELLI

 

TRADE NAME

SAPELLI

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Entandrophragma cylindricum Sprague

 

FAMILY

Meliaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa – East Africa

Ivory Coast : ABOUDIKRO
Ghana : PENKWA
Nigeria : SAPELE
Cameroon : ASSIE – SAPELLI
Centrafrica : M’BOYO
Zaire : LIFAKI
Angola : UNDIANUNO
Congo : UNDIANUNO
Uganda : MUYOVU
Great Britain : SAPELE
W. Germany : SAPELLI – MAHAGONI

Pr. = IMP. Ex. = IMP., REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Pinkish grey to whitish, demarcated, 7 – 10 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : red brown to purplish brown
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Fine – Ripple marks
  • Ribbon figure on quartered surfaces

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 850 – 950
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 680
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.47
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 7.7
  • Total radial swelling R% = 5.3
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 62
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 142
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 11200

 

 

END USE

  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet works
  • Interior and exterior joinery
  • Domestic flooring
  • Interior fittings and paneling
  • High-class furniture
  • Boat building and fittings
  • Plywood

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : Yes
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Typical cedar-like scent, when wood is air-dry
    – Main defects = wrinkly grain
    – Occasonal resin exudations.

 
PAOROSA

 

TRADE NAME

PAOROSA

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Swartzia fistuloides Harms

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa – East Africa

Ivory Coast : BOTO
Gabon : OKEN
Centrafrica : N’GUESSA
Congo : KISASAMBA
Zaire : NSAKALA
Mozambique : PAU FERRO

Pr. = LIMITED Ex. = LOW

 

 

SAPWOOD

Demarcated, yellowish white, sometimes very thick

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Pink brown, striped with red brown bands
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : –

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1100 – 1200
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (very heavy) 1010
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (large) 0.65
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 6.2
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.4
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 89
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 208
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 17000

 

 

END USE

  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet works
  • High-class furniture
  • Musical instrument (Xylophone)
  • Turnery
  • Carving

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – A good alternate for PALISSANDRE and BUBINGA.

 
PADOUK

 

TRADE NAME

PADOUK D’AFRIQUE

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub
  • P. osun Craib.
  • P. tinctorius Welw.

 

FAMILY

Fabaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Central Africa

Nigeria : OSUN
Equat. Guinea : PALO ROJO
Cameroon : MBEL
Gabon : MBEL
Congo : KISESE
Zaire : N’GULA, MUKULA, MONGOLA
Angola : TACULA
Belgium :CORAIL
W. Germany : PADAUK
Great Britain : PADAUK, AFRICAN PADAUK, CAMWOOD, BARWOOD
Netherlands : PADOEK
Italy : PADUK

Pr. = FREQ. (Promotion) Ex. = OCC. ; Low

 

 

SAPWOOD

Whitish, clearly distinct, 10 – 20 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Vivid red sometimes with dark veining, toning down on exposure
  • Grain : Straight to slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Coarse
  • Silver figure : –
  • White efflorescence covering the logs

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 900 – 1000
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 770
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.43
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 5.3
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.2
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 62
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 164
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 12300

 

 

END USE

  • Domestic flooring
  • Exterior joinery
  • Decorated interior joinery
  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet works
  • High-class furniture
  • Knife handles and brush backs
  • Turnery
  • Boat building (decking) and dockwork
  • Carving

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Moderate
  • Other remarks :
    – Frequently named CAMWOOD in Nigeria. To avoid confusions, this name should be used only for Baphia nitida.
    – Possible defect = brittleheart.

 
OVANKOL

 

TRADE NAME

OVANKOL (AMAZAKOUE)

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Guibourtia ehie J. Leonard

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Ivory Coast : AMAZAKOUE
Ghana : HYEDUANINI, ANOKYE
Gabon : OVENGKOL
Equat. Guinea : PALISSANDRO
U.S.A. : MOZAMBIQUE

Pr. = OCC. Ex. = OCC.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Greyish white, clearly demarcated, sometimes thick

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellow brown to dark brown, with grey or dark brown veinings
  • Grain : Straigh to slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Slightly lustrous
  • White efflorescence on sawn timbers

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1000 – 1100
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 820
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium to large) 0.57
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 8.7
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.2
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 69
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 178
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 17300

 

 

END USE

  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet works
  • High-class furnitures
  • Domestic flooring
  • Exterior joinery
  • Interior joinery – paneling
  • Knife handles – Brush backs.
  • Turnery

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Durable to very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – White/greyish inclusions that may alter slicing.
    – A substitute for MUTENYE and WALNUT.

 
OKOUME

 

TRADE NAME

OKOUME

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Aucoumea klaineana Pierre

 

FAMILY

Burseraceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Central Africa

Equat. Guinea : OKUME, N’GOUMI
Gabon : OKOUME, ANGOUMA
Congo : N’KUMI
Great Britain : GABOON (OKAKA/AZOUGA = deep splines on logs)

Pr. = REGUL., IMP. Ex. = VEDRY IMP.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Demarcated, freyish white, narrow.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Salmon-pink to dark-pink, darkening on exposure
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked to frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Fine (barely visible)

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 550 – 650
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (light) 440
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (small) 0.33
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 7.5
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.8
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 36
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 87
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 7800

 

 

END USE

  • Plywood
  • Furniture components
  • Mouldings
  • Boxes and crates
  • Interior joinery
  • Blackboards
  • Pleasure boats

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Moderate
  • Other remarks :
    – Frequent defects : wooly heartwood OZOUGA.
    – Aspect and color differing with provenances (Equatorial Guinea : lighter).

 
OKAN

 

TRADE NAME

OKAN

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms

 

FAMILY

Mimosaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Ivory Coast : BOUEMON
Ghana : BENYA, ADADUA
Nigeria : OKAN
Cameroon : ADOUM, BOKOKA, AFRICAN GREENHEART
Gabon : EDOUM, ODUMA
Congo : N’ DUMA

Pr. = NERL. (large possibilities) Ex. = OCC.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, greyish pink, 5 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellow-brown to golden brown, with greenish tinge
  • Grain : Slightly/occasionally interlocked to highly/frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Medium to coarse
  • Silver figure : Fine

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1000 – 1100
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 910
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (large movement) 0.61
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 8.6
  • Total radial swelling R% = 6.2
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 82
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 187
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 18000

 

 

END USE

  • Railways sleepers
  • Marine piling and dockwork
  • Heavy-duty flooring
  • Wagon trays

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – An alternate for AZOBE and GREENHEART.

 

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