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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 Triplochiton scleroxylon Trade Name Obeche Family Name Sterculiaceae Common Names Abachi, African bush maple, African maple, African whitewood, Ajuss, Arare, Arere, Ayos, Ayous, Ayus, Bado, Bamba, Batobus, Bush maple, Cofa, Egin-fifen, Ejoung, Ejuong, Ewowo, Gha, Ghana obeche, Hafa, Hofa, Kofa, Kpa, Larana whitewood, Lomangene, M'bado, Nkom, Obeche, Obechi, Obeke, Ofa, Okpa, Okpo, Otrotso, Oua-oua, Ouesse, Owawa, Owowa, Pataboa, Sam, Sama, Samba, Samba gris, Samba ou ayous, Samba-ayous, Sankamba, Satinwood, Serama, Soft satinwood, Wana, Wawa, Wawa arera Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zaire Common Uses Artificial limbs, Bedroom suites, Bent Parts, Blockboard, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concrete formwork, Cutting surfaces, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Fiberboard, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Millwork, Model airplanes, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Office furniture, Packing cases, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Stools, Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer Environmental Profile Generally secure within its natural habitat Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview Widely distributed in tropical West Africa, from Guinea to Zaire. It is found mainly along waterways, on abandoned farmlands, and in transition zones between humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests. especially common in the drier and more disturbed types of forests within its range. Heartwood Color Red Brown Pink Purple Green/grey Black Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Pale grey Brown Pale yellow Light deep red brown or yellow-brown to brown or dark reddish-brown Sapwood Color White Brown Green/Grey Pink Yellow Same as heartwood White to yellow Color not distinct from heartwood Sapwood is often up to 6 inches (15 cm) wide. Grain Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Stripe (figure) Straight Even Weak (figure) Interlocked Distinct figure Striped figure Straight Weak figure Interlocked grain produces a faint but characteristic striped figure on quartersawn surfaces. Texture Coarse Medium Fine Medium coarse to coarse Medium Fine Coarse Moderately fine to coarse Even textured Luster Medium Lustrous Pronounced Slightly lustrous The surface of the material exhibits a natural sheen. Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive Natural Durability Durable Very durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Perishable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Very durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Sapwood is readily attacked by powder-post beetles Heartwood is susceptible to attack by pinhole borers, longhorn beetles and sap stain fungi The heartwood is not resistant to attack by termites and other insects. A die-back fungus, Botryodiplodia theobromae, which reduces most mechanical properties, is sometimes present in this species. Prompt removal of logs from the forest, as well as conversion is essential since the species is susceptible to insect and fungi attack. Odor Unpleasent odor when freshly milled There is usually an unpleasant odor when freshly cut, but the smell disappears after the wood is seasoned Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Respiratory effects Sawdust can cause respiratory irritation in some individuals Dermatitic effects Sawdust from machining operations is reported to cause asthma in some individuals. Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=L US=T14C6S/T12C5S - Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 T14 - C5S (4/4); T12 - C5S (8/4) US. Schedule L (4/4) United Kingdom Drying Defects Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting No end splitting Ripped or resawn boards may distort considerably if material contains compression wood No surface checking Low resistance to sawing, but freshly felled logs may split due to internal stresses Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Easy Dries rapidly and well with little degrade under controlled conditions The lumber must be stacked carefully to permit good air circulation. 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 misshapen Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Sapwood width is 0-5 cm The trees are very tall and slim. Boles are cylindrical, and the palmate leaves and winged fruits are said to resemble those of the North American maples and European sycamores Product Sources The ITTO reports that the species is recognized as a very important source of timber for export. The timber is considered too soft for general joinery use, but it is highly suitable for small accurate mouldings. Obeche is readily available in both veneer and lumber forms. The timber is usually available in large sizes which allows it to be used for the mass production of cabinets and kitchen furniture. Prices are in the inexpensive range. Substitutes Obeche is a good and potential substitute for American basswood (Tilia americana ), Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera ), and White pine (Pinus alba). These species are substitutes for Obeche: Morototo (Didymonopanax morototoni) and Brown terminalia (Terminalia brassii) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect High to severe Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on sawing green wood is mild Slight dulling effect on cutting tools Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild Boring Fairly difficult to very difficult Easy Some operations require reduced cutting angles for best results Carving Good results Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Saws satisfactorily Low resistance to cutting Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Good gluing properties Gluing is preferable over nailing and screwing for jointed work. Mortising Responds well to machine tools in mortising operations Easy to mortise Moulding Requires very sharp cutting edges Good finishing results Easy to mould The material has a slight abrasive effect. Cutting edges should be kept very sharp when working end-grain material since it has a tendency to crumble and chip at tool exits. Movement in Service Small Very stable after seasoning Undergoes minimal dimensional changes in response to fluctuations in surrounding atmospheric conditions Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to nail Nails hold poorly Holds satisfactorily Planing Easy to plane Special attention required Planes well, to a good finish Cutters may dull A reduced planing angle and very sharp cutting edges, are recommended for smooth surfaces in planing Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Resistance to Splitting Good Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Responds well to hand tools Routing & Recessing Sharp cutters are required to prevent chipping and crumbling at tool exits in end-grain material Sanding Good sanding properties Screwing Easy to screw Poor results Turning Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to turn Poor results Turns with moderate ease Easy to turn The wood is too soft for hand-turning. Veneering Qualities Difficult to veneer Easy to cut Suitable for peeling No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Steam Bending Moderate Good Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Steam Bending The wood has moderate steam bending properties. There may be slight wrinkling at the edges of bends. The wood should be primed if painting is required. Polishing Good results Requires a filler Polishes to a high finish Staining Finish is generally good Satisfactory staining properties For best results use a filler Finish is generally satisfactory The wood is described as non-descript, and acts as a very good medium for staining and dyeing. Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Max. crushing strength = low Shrinkage, Radial = very small Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Work to Maximum Load = very low Shrinkage, Radial = small Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium The species usually produces clean timber of exceptional length. Wood is very resilient for its density. It has rather low bending and crushing strengths, and is not suitable for applications where strength is a factor Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5382 8110 psi Density 24 lbs/ft3 Hardness 408 lbs Impact Strength 24 20 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2206 3665 psi Shearing Strength 945 psi Stiffness 879 1041 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 5 6 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.31 0.36 Weight 24 24 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 378 570 kg/cm2 Density 384 kg/m3 Hardness 185 kg Impact Strength 60 50 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 155 257 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 66 kg/cm2 Stiffness 61 73 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.42 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.31 0.36 Weight 384 384 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References Abankwah, J.M.,1970,A field test for the Natural Relative Durability of Timbers against Fungal,Decay,Building and Road Res. Inst. Ghana Research Note,No.33 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1957,Samba (Obeche) - Triplochiton scleroxylon,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,53, pp21-24 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 Boone, R. S., C. J. Kozlik, P. J. Bois, E. M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA., Forest Service, Preliminary Copy, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Boulton, E.H.B., Price, T.J.,1931,Some Further Notes on Triplochiton scleroxylon,Tropical Woods,4(25, pp3-4 British Woodworking Federation. 1995. Which Wood . Published by the British Woodworking Federation, Broadway House, Tothill Street, London. 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 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 Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Crossley, N., Ogunle, O.A.,1964,Studies on Suitability of Nigerian Raw Materials for Papermaking,Fed. Inst. Ind. Res. Nigeria,Res. Report, No.24 Cudjoe, F.S.,1969,A Key to the Family Sterculiaceae in Ghana,Forest Prod. Res. Inst. Ghana Tech. Note, No.7 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 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 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.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 Gerry, E., Miller, C.M.,1954,Triplochiton scleroxylon,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,Report,No. 1974,1-5 Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32 HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R. H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. 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 India Forest Research Institute,1974,Indian Timbers - Mesua,Forest Research Institute & College, Dehra Dun. Information Series No.16 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. Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio. Jane, F.W.,1951,The Structure of Timbers of the World (Part 5,Timber News,59(2149,pp484-7 Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month: Obeche - Lustrous, Lightweight African Wood. Wood & Wood Products, October, 1992. Page 58. Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees . Clarendon Press, Oxford. Kinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold Coast Kline, M. 1983. Triplochiton scleroxylon - Obeche. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 352-353. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 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 Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. 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) Lincoln, W. A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. 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 Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Record, S.J.,1929,The West African Abachi Ayous or Samba (Triplochiton scleroxylon,Tropical Woods,8(18, PP43-54 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,1957,Wenge (Millettia laurentii,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,No12(5, p35 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 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.,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 Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operator's Manual - Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Plants Programme, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13