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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 Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources 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 Substitutes Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Terminalia superba Trade Name Limba Family Name Combretaceae Common Names Afa, Afara, Afia afia, Afodonko, Afraa, Aghan, Akam, Akom, An rin, Bale, Baya, Bese, Blie, Bokone, Chene limbo, Chene-limbo, Congo walnut, Dark limba, Dark noir, Djombe, Edo, Egean, Egoin nufua, Egonni, Egoyin, Eji, End, Faraen, Frake, Fram, Frameri, Framo, Frane, Frango, Frany, Gbararada, Ka-ren, Kegblale, Kojaagei, Kojagei, Kom, Kone, Kongo, Korina, Kosina, Kumkunbe, Landi, Light limba, Limba, Limba clair, Limba noir, Limbo, Moukonia, Mukonja, N'dimba, N'kom, N'limba, Noyer, Noyer du Mayombe, Noyer limbo, Offram, Ofram, Ojiloko, Owebala, Pe, Shingle wood, Tra, Unwonrom, Weiss, White afara, White limba, Yellow pine Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Zaire Common Uses Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Coffins, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Shingles, Tables, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Rare Abundant/Secure Generally secure within its natural habitat Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center This species is relatively secure, with little or no threat to its population within its natural growth range Distribution Overview Widely distributed from Guinea to Angola and Zaire. It grows in the rain and savannah forests, and is a good plantation species in West Africa. Heartwood Color Yellow Brown Green/grey Orange White Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Greenish to greyish White to cream Brown Grey brown Limba sometimes has black, irregular streaks which give the wood an attractive appearance Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Same as heartwood Not clearly differentiated from the heartwood Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Closed Even Growth rings (figure) Irregular Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Distinct and very fine figure Straight to interlocked May be straight, irregular, or wavy Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Coarse Medium Coarse Medium Moderately coarse Medium coarse to coarse Fine Luster Medium High Lustrous Pronounced High Dull Wood surface has a high, satiny luster. Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Non durable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Perishable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Susceptible to marine borer attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Heartwood has very low resistance to decay It is readily attacked by termites, ambrosia beetles, and powder-post beetles. Felled trees require special preventive care to protect the heartwood against deterioration. Odor No specific taste Mild odor Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Dermatitic effects Respiratory effects Wood splinters are reported to cause inflammation of the skin in some individuals. Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid T10 - D5s (4/4); T8 - D4s (8/4) US Schedule J (4/4) United Kingdom Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Splitting Distortion Checking Discoloration Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Slight end splitting No surface checking Severe end splitting No twisting or warping No end splitting Shakes and splits are common during air-seasoning. Kiln-drying is often accompanied by minimal checking and warping. Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Reconditioning Treatement Easy Dries rapidly and well with little degrade under controlled conditions Kiln Drying Rate Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 40-50 m Bole length is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Bark width is 20-25 mm Bark width is 25-30 mm Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm Product Sources Supplies are plentiful and the material is available in the form of veneers and lumber. Price is in the moderate range. Substitutes Ako (Antiaris africana and A. welwitschii), African pterygota (Pterygota bequaert and P. macrocarpa) and Brown terminalia (Terminalia brassii) are substitutes for some end uses. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight dulling effect on cutting tools Boring Very good to excellent results Fairly easy to very easy Easy Carving Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Satisfactory gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mortise Moulding Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mould Good finishing results Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Small Stable Stable when seasoned Nailing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to nail Tends to split during nailing Possible if prebored Holds nails well Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to plane Yields clean surfaces Responds well to ordinary machine tools in all operations Planes well, to a good finish Planes to a poor finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment. Preservative penetration and retention in the sapwood are adequate. Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Easy to machine Responds well to hand tools Routing & Recessing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Routing is easy Routing yields good results Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to sand Good sanding finish Difficult to sand Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to screw Screwing yields good results Pre-Boring is recommended in screwing Possible if prebored Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to turn Difficult to turn Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Easy to cut No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Suitable for veneers Suitable for slicing No steaming needed during bolt preparation. Good gluing qualities The wood is very suitable for veneering, and the figured black heartwood is highly favored for decorative veneers for paneling and furniture. Steam Bending Poor Painting Good results Polishing Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Satisfactory results Requires a filler Excellent results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Stains well Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = hard Strength properties of the timber are sometimes reduced considerably by the presence of brittleheart. The wood is weak and is rarely used in applications where strength is of major concern Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6859 10414 psi Density 34 lbs/ft3 Hardness 731 lbs Impact Strength 15 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3331 5506 psi Shearing Strength 1246 psi Stiffness 1042 1268 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 8 9 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.37 0.43 Weight 33 26 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 482 732 kg/cm2 Density 544 kg/m3 Hardness 331 kg Impact Strength 38 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 234 387 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 87 kg/cm2 Stiffness 73 89 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.56 0.63 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.37 0.43 Weight 528 416 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References 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.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75 Bios et Forets des Tropiques,1974,Limba - Frake (Terminalia superba,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.158 pp33-49 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Limbo (Terminalia superba,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.9,pp63-6 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 Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series 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. Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Crossley, N., Ogunle, O.A.,1964,Studies on the Suitability of Nigeria Raw Materials for Paper-making 7,Fed. Inst. Ind. Res. Nigeria Research Note, No.26 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.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research 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., 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.,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.,1959,Monographie du Limbo (Terminalia superba,C.T.F.T. Publ.,14 France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - C.T.F.T.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 Leaflets France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,France Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Gutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102 Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32 Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Lab., Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buck. 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 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., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,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 Kline, M. 1984. Terminalia superba - Limba. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page341. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3 Lincoln, W.W. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co., Inc., Fresno, California. Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color: A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London. Nigeria - Federal Department of Forest Research,1965,Terminalia superba (Afara,Nigeria Federal Department Forest Research, Ibadan, Report No.1,pp1-12 Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,1955,Limbo (Terminalia superba,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,10(12, p38 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] South African Lumber Millers Assoc.,1969,Notes on some Commercially Available Hardwoods,S.A.L.M.A. Timber Info. Centre Timber Technical Guide,No.1 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1959,Survey of Africa Woods 4,Tropical Woods 17(110) pp42-115 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 Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1952,Foreign Woods Imported into the U.S.,F.P.L. Madison Rep., No. R1903-12 U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. 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