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Blunting Effect
Boring
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Uapaca guineensis

Trade Name
Abo

Family Name
Euphorbiaceae

Synonyms
Uapaca bingervillensis, Uapaca laurentii, Uapaca mole, Uapaca perrottii, Antidesma guineensis


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Abo, Alaba, Alebie, Alobo, Alohowa, Alohua, Alokaba, Alokoba, An-lil, Assam, Be-yo, Biyo, Borikio, Bosenge, Bou-rikio, Dombe, Dumbe, E-lil, Edan, Elehowa, Elekhua, Emido, False mahogany, Gag-assam, Gondi, Ile, Ishase, Jagale, Kaango, Kafaffago, Kafafogo, Kahie, Kahio, Kajafogo, Kayo, Kindi, Koe-lil, Kondi, Kondii, Koondi, Kulil, Kundi, Kuntad, Kuntan, Kwintan, Me-kundi, Mole, Mukusu, Mulengu, Mutakale, N'nan, N'sanvi, Nere-kere, Nja-kundi, Nsanvi, Obia, Obubit nkpenek, Okon, Onye, Oreng, Oriang, Orobo, Oyen, Red cedar, Rikio, Senchi, Shasun, Soang-nasa, Sofiro, Some, Somo, Somon, Suang, Sugar plum, Tiom'bi, Tshilengu, Tuo-le, Umpwenek, Voapaca, Yere, Yeye

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zaire

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Canoes, Charcoal, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Endangered


Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Reddish brown
Red
Pale red to pink
Greenish to greyish
Dark brown
Brown
Dark brown


Sapwood Color
Paler than heartwood
Pinkish
White to yellow


Grain
Distinct (figure)
Figure
Straight
Even

Straight
Distinct figure


Texture
Fine
Coarse
Fine to medium
Medium coarse to coarse


Luster
Lustrous


Natural Durability
Perishable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Non-durable
Durable
Very durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Moderately durable


Odor
Has an odor


Light-Induced Color Change
None


Drying Defects
Distortion


Ease of Drying
Rapidly
Thick Stock Requires Care
Fairly Easy
Easy


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is unknown
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is misshapen
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Blunting effect on machining is severe


Boring
Difficult


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw


Gluing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to glue


Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Difficult to nail


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Responds Readily
Easy to Work
Easy to machine


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Screwing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Turning
Difficult to turn


Veneering Qualities
Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts
Diifficult to veneer


Steam Bending
Very Good to Excellent Results
Tends to Degrade
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Painting
Good results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Max. crushing strength = high
Shrinkage, Volumetric = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = very high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1191618226psi
Density43lbs/ft3
Hardness992lbs
Impact Strength47inches
Maximum Crushing Strength49117579psi
Shearing Strength1334psi
Stiffness158918351000 psi
Weight4234lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage9%
Volumetric Shrinkage13%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength8371281kg/cm2
Density689kg/m3
Hardness449kg
Impact Strength119cm
Maximum Crushing Strength345532kg/cm2
Shearing Strength93kg/cm2
Stiffness1111291000 kg/cm2
Weight673544kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage9%

References
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

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153

Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany

Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Fouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38

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

Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan

Kennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer Lagos

Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159

Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5

Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

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

Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda

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

Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London

Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen