Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Kiln Drying Rate Luster Mortising Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size		Scientific Name Malacantha alnifolia Trade Name Afraba Family Name Sapotaceae Synonyms Sideroxylon adolf, Chrysophyllum ferrugine, Malacantha ferrugine, Malacantha heudelotiana Common Names Afraba, Akala, Akara, Akonko, Akpafia, Banga, Banwa, Chepkabet, Dablaku, Fafaraha, Fuoda, Gigintshotsho, Kipwoibet, Lablaku, Luniondet, Muna, Mutunguru, Ngechebet, Owri, Pusum, Seite, Shoi buzozi, Tutoduodi Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boxes and crates, Flooring, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Tool handles, Vehicle parts Grain Closed Wavy Wavy Figure shows patterns other than those generally described Texture Medium Luster Medium Natural Durability Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Perishable Non durable Moderately durable Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Easy Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Mortising Easy to mortise Moulding Easy to mould Nailing Holds nails well Difficult to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Polishing Satisfactory results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 32 lbs/ft3 Hardness 995 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Weight 31 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 512 kg/m3 Hardness 451 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Weight 496 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % 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 Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies 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 Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya