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 Boring 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 Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Combretodendron macrocarpum Trade Name Esia Family Name Lecythidaceae Synonyms Petersia africana, Petersia minor, Petersia viridifora, Petersianthus africanus, Combretodendron africanum, Combretodendron macrocarpum, Combretodendron viridiflorum, Combretum macrocarpum Common Names Abale, Abin, Abine, Abing, Akusun, Angweshi, Awewe, Bayombi, Bine, Bosaki, Bossoho, Boto, Busheki, Dekolambunda, Esia, Esia-kokobin, Esiapi, Essia, Kapuku mutshi, Kochibibi, Kpa, Minzu, Miuza, Mubuabua, Mubwabwa, Nfunzo, Nonong, Okpoha, Osa, Oto, Owewe, Oze, Pen, Soap tree, Stinkwood tree, Tu-tue, Tufei, Tuntue, Tutwo, Vulo, welo Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Construction, Core Stock, Crossties, Decorative veneer, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview Throughout tropical West Africa, fairly common in wet forest areas, infrequent in the dry high forests. Heartwood Color Yellow Brown Orange Black Green/grey Red Reddish brown Pale red to pink Dark brown Red Contains dark streaks Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Green/Grey White to yellow Well defined Grain Interlocked Straight Figure Distinct (figure) Closed Even Wavy Growth rings (figure) Mottled (figure) Rays (figure) Stripe (figure) Interlocked Straight Distinct figure Wavy Striped figure Rays figure Mottled figure Generally straight, but not always Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Coarse Medium Coarse Medium Medium to coarse Fine Fine to medium Luster Low Dull Natural Durability Non-durable Moderately durable Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles 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 Non durable Naturally resistant Moderately resistant to attack by termites Moderate weathering properties Odor Odor disappears upon drying May have a slightly disagreeable smell when green Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T2 - C2 (4/4) US Drying Defects Severe end splitting Moderate end spitting Moderate collapse and honeycombing Severe twisting/warping Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Slight twist/warp Severe surface checking Severe cupping Severe collapse and honeycomb Moderate cupping Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Difficult Variable results. Kiln Drying Rate Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is unknown Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Medium effect Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Difficult Very difficult Tendency to char Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate Cutting resistance with dry wood is moderate Fine sawdust produced from rip sawing may adhere to blades and cause them to overheat. Heavier than normal saws with a small pitch are recommended. Gluing Easy to glue Satisfactory gluing properties Movement in Service Large Nailing Difficult to nail Pre-boring recommended Easy to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Difficult to plane Reduction of cutting angle recommended Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Moderate working qualities Variable qualities Easy to machine Screwing Pre-boring recommended Veneering Qualities Diifficult to veneer Steam Bending Very poor Poor Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Requires a filler Staining Finish is generally good Stains well after surface treatment Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = large Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = very high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Very heavy Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Resists denting and marring Density = high Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 13082 19607 psi Density 51 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1909 lbs Impact Strength 40 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5739 9281 psi Shearing Strength 2032 psi Static Bending 8702 psi Stiffness 1675 1969 1000 psi Toughness 236 inch-lbs Specific Gravity 0.64 0.72 Weight 49 39 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 14 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 919 1378 kg/cm2 Density 817 kg/m3 Hardness 865 kg Impact Strength 101 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 403 652 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 142 kg/cm2 Static Bending 611 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 138 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 271 cm-kg Specific Gravity 0.64 0.72 Weight 785 624 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 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 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. 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.,1950,The Seasoning Properties of Exotic Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research Leaflet,No.44 and supplements 1 & 2 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1951,Essia (Combretodendron africanum,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Timber Leaflet 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 Fortin, Y., Poliquin, J.,1976,Natural Durability and Preservation of 100 Tropical African Woods,International Development Research Centre, Canada Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim 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.,1961,Resultats des Observatioms et des Essais Effectues au C.T.F.T. sur Essia,C.T.F.T. Information Technique,No.111 France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 Freitas, M.C.P.G. de,1961,Madeiras de Angola Series 1,Reprint from Garcia de Orta Lisbon,9(4,pp699-711 Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods. 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. 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.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,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 Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 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) 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 Lincoln, W. A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. 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 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London 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 Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone 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 Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen