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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source 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 Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability 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 Silica Content Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Tieghemella heckelii Trade Name Makore Family Name Sapotaceae Synonyms Tieghemella heckeliana, Dumoria heckelii Common Names Abacu, Abako, Abaku, Abecou, African cherry, Agamokive, Agamokwe, Aganokpe, Aganokwe, Asaka, Babou, Babu, Bagwain, Bako, Baku, Butusu, Cherry mahogany, Dimori, Dimpapi, Diutu, Djuru-tu, Douka, Dumone, Dumori, Edinam, Edumoi, Gofilei, Gwa, Hochioo, Ipaki, Konoo-findo, Makarou, Makore, Makori, Makwe, Mbabou, N'duka, Nduka, Okola, Okolla, Opapea, Opepe, Rubber tree, Ukola, Wosima, Wosime Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone Common Uses Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Plywood: veneer (marine), Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shade rollers, Shipbuilding, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tables, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat Status unknown in some areas due to inadequate information Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Vulnerable in the Ivory Coast. Status unknown in Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone Distribution Overview The growth range of this species extends from Sierra Leone to south-western Nigeria. Heartwood Color Yellow White Orange Brown Red Green/grey Reddish brown Pale red to pink Brown Red Purple Dark brown Dark brown Pale brown The wood is reported to resemble close-grained mahogany or plain-sawn Sapele. The heartwood varies in color from pink to rich red-brown, or pink-red to blood red and red-brown. Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red White to yellow Pinkish Paler than heartwood Well defined Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Sapwood is usually 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) wide. Grain Figure Straight Distinct (figure) Interlocked Mottled (figure) Stripe (figure) Wavy Closed Even Straight Distinct figure Interlocked Mottled figure Striped figure Wavy Interlocked grain produces an attractive mottled figure, occasionally with darker streaks. Figured material exhibits a very striking moire or watered-silk pattern. Texture Medium Coarse Fine Even or uniform Uniform Fine Medium Very fine Uniform Luster Medium High Low Pronounced Lustrous Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-durable Non-resistant to termites Perishable Very durable Non-resistant to marine borers Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from marine borers Heartwood resistant to decay Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Heartwood is resistant to attack by termites and Anobium borers The timber is occasionally attacked by stain, pinhole borers, and longhorn borers. Odor No specific smell or taste Silica Content Moderate silica contact Contains high levels of silica (> 0.5% of dry weight) Toxicity Some toxic effects Unspecified toxicity Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Sawdust can cause nose irritation in some individuals Sawdust can cause irritation in some individuals Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Dry at a moderate speed UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying (speed) is fast UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4 T10 - D4S(4/4); T8 - D3S (8/4) US Schedule H (4/4) United Kingdom Drying Defects Distortion Splitting Loose Knots Slight end splitting No end splitting Slight twist/warp No twisting or warping Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting May check slightly and some 1 inch (25 mm) thick boards may twist during drying Minimal splitting around knots may develop. Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Thick Stock Requires Care Reconditioning Treatement Easy Dries slowly with little degrade Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Rapid Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Tree height is 50-60 m Bole length is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Bole length is 30-40 m Product Sources Makore trees tend to be very large, with logs that commonly produce from 40,000 to 50,000 square feet of consistent and uniform material. Trees often have a high percentage of figured material per log, which allows big projects to be accomplished in single long runs and in sequence. Although the wood is not light colored, it is very popular because of its distinctive appearance. Seeds produced by the tree are reported to yield an edible oil. Supplies in the veneer form are rather plentiful, and the material is also available in the lumber form from importers. Prices are in the moderate range. The ITTO reports that the species is a regular source of timber for export. The timber is a popular architectural wood. Certified Source Certified Source Substitutes Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma). Nyatoh (Dichopsis elliptica syn. Palaquium and elliptica) is similar in appearance. Comments Corrosive Materials - Contact with iron may stain the wood blue, especially under moist conditions. General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Severe blunting effect on cutting surfaces Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Boring Fair to good results Fairly difficult to very difficult Fairly easy to very easy Tends to char during boring Difficult Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to carve Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult High cutting resistance because of high silica content Tungsten carbide tipped cutters are required for material with moisture content below 20 percent. Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Satisfactory gluing properties Good gluing properties Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Responds fairly well to mortising operations The timber responds fairly well to mortising operations, but it may have rather severe and rapid blunting effect on cutting edges. Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Material responds well to moulding operations Cutters tend to dull rapidly Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Small Stable Holds shape well after manufacture Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Easy to nail Tends to split during nailing Pre-boring required Possible if prebored Difficult to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Special attention required The timber works reasonably well with machine tools, but it dulls cutting edges rather severely and quickly because of high silica content. A cutting angle of 20 degrees is required in planing. Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is extremely resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Responds well to hand tools High silica content dulls cutter blades rapidly and severely Routing & Recessing Good routing qualities Material with high silica content may promote rapid blunting of cutting edges Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory sanding properties Easy to sand Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Easy to screw Pre-Boring is recommended in screwing Turning Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair Turning operations are reasonable, but it may be accompanied by severe and rapid dulling of cutting edges Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy No drying degrade Easy to cut There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Tends to Degrade Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderate Painting Fair to Good Results Surface Preparation Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Surface Preparation Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Good results Pre-Treat wood surface for best results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Surface Preparation Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finish is generally satisfactory Reacts with Iron to discolour wood Finish is generally good For best results use a filler Excellent staining qualities Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Resists denting and marring Heavy Hardness (side grain) = hard Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Dense Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = very high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 10525 14623 psi Density 43 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1294 lbs Impact Strength 29 29 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5005 7677 psi Shearing Strength 2260 psi Stiffness 1239 1505 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 13 16 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.54 0.6 Weight 40 39 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 739 1028 kg/cm2 Density 689 kg/m3 Hardness 586 kg Impact Strength 73 73 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 351 539 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 158 kg/cm2 Stiffness 87 105 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.91 1.12 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.54 0.6 Weight 641 624 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % 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 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1955,Makore (Mimusops hecklii,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.41,pp19-22 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1976,Makore/Douka,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.168, pp31-46 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 Bond, C.W.,1950,Colonial Timbers,Sir Issac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. 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