TRADE NAME

DABEMA

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Piptadeniastrum africanum Brenan (= Piptadenia africana Hook. f.)

 

FAMILY

Mimosaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa – East Africa

Sierra Leone : MBELE. GULI
Ivory Coast : DABEMA
Ghana : DAHOMA
Nigeria : AGBOIN, EKHIMI
Liberia : MBELI
Cameroon : ATUI
Equat. Guinea : TOM
Gabon : TOUM
Congo, Angola : N’SINGA
Zaire : BOKUNGU, LIKUNDU
Uganda : MPEWERE
Great Britain : DAHOMA, EKHIMI
Netherlands : BUKUNDU

Pr. = Large possibilities Ex. = OCC. (Promotion)

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, light colour, 5 cm or more.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Light brown to yellow-brown
  • Grain : Slightly/occasionally interlocked to highly/frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Coarse
  • Silver figure : Fine (barely visible)
  • Unpleasant odor when green or rewetted

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 900 – 1100
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 690
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.54
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 9.4
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.9
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 57
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 137
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 12300

 

 

END USE

  • House framing and heavy construction
  • Truck and wagon trays
  • Bridges
  • Flooring

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Suitable as an alternative to European Oak for first-grade logs.