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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 Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Entandrophragma candollei Trade Name Omu Family Name Meliaceae Synonyms Entandrophragma ferrugineum Common Names Atom, Atom assie, Bouboussou rouge, Candollei, Diamuni, Entandrophragma mahogany, Esaka, Heavy mahogany, Heavy sapele, Heavy sapelle, Impompo, Kosipo, Lifaki mpembe, Lifuco, Okpoloco, Omu, Penkkwa akowaa, Penkwa, Penkwa-akowaa, Pepedom, Sapele-heavy, Tshimaie tshikunze, Tshimaye rouge, Unscented mahogany Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Zaire Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Office furniture, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Stools, Tables , Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Status unknown in many of its growth areas Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions. Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Classified as Endangered in Liberia, Rare in Cameroon, and Vulnerable in the Ivory Coast Distribution Overview West Africa to Angola and the Congo region (Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria); in evergreen, moist, and transitional formations. A large tree of lowland rainforest. Heartwood Color Brown Red Pink Purple Purple Reddish brown Dark brown Purplish brown Brown Sapwood Color White Green/Grey Yellow Well defined White to yellow Paler than heartwood Different than heartwood Pale brown Grey Grain Interlocked Straight Figure Distinct (figure) Even Mottle Rippled (figure) Interlocked Straight Distinct figure Straight to interlocked Rippled figure Mottled or streaked figure sometimes When present, interlocking grain is reported to produce a mottled or striped figure. Wrinkly grain is also occasionally present. Texture Coarse Medium Coarse Medium to coarse Even textured Luster Dull Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Durable Non-resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to pinhole borer Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack by marine borers and termites Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Non durable Moderately resistant to attack by termites Durable Odor No specific smell or taste Silica Content Siliceous Contains silica Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying Defects Checking Distortion Severe twisting/warping Moderate collapse and honeycombing Ease of Drying Rapidly Fairly Easy Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Variable results. Radial and tangential shrinkage from 4-7% Easy Dries slowly It should be stacked carefully to minimize defects. A mild kiln schedule is recommended for best results Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly 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 buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Bark width is 0-5 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Bark width is 5-10 mm Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Buttresses with heights up to 3 m Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced regularly and exported frequently. Substitutes Crabwood (Carapa guianensis) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Timber produced by Omu is comparatively harder and heavier than other species in the genus Entandrophragma. Blunting Effect Little High to severe Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe High effect Boring Fairly easy to very easy Poor to very poor results Easy Cutting edges tend to dull rapidly Carving Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Low resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Good properties Mortising Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to mortise Easy to mortise Support material during mortising to prevent break out. Good mortising properties Moulding Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to mould Easy to mould Tends to tear where interlocked grain is present A reduction of the cutting angle to 20 degrees is recommended for best results. Movement in Service Medium Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to nail Holds nails well Good nailing properties Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Difficult to plane Easy to plane A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended Interlocked material has a tendency to tear. Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is highly resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very good in both routing and recessing Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Yields smooth, clean surfaces Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Screwing yields good results Good screw holding properties Easy to screw Turning Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Yields smooth, clean surface. Responds well Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Suitable for slicing Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Steam Bending Poor Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Good results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finish is generally good Stains well Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Toughness (total work) = low Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = very high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11263 16464 psi Density 44 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1127 lbs Impact Strength 28 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4335 7209 psi Shearing Strength 882 psi Stiffness 1188 1335 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.49 0.68 Weight 43 41 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 791 1157 kg/cm2 Density 705 kg/m3 Hardness 511 kg Impact Strength 71 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 304 506 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 62 kg/cm2 Stiffness 83 93 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.49 0.68 Weight 689 657 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1950,Kosipo - Entandrophragma candollei,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,15, pp251-4 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1978,Kosipo - Entandrophragma candollei,Bois et Forets des Tropiques No.181,pp29-40 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 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 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series 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 Fortin, Y., Poliquin, J.,1976,Natural Durability and Preservation of 100 Tropical African Woods,International Development Research Centre, Canada 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.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - C.T.F.T.,Resultats des Observations et des essais effectues au CTFT sur Kosipo,C.T.F.T.,No.105 Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board 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 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. Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Keen, G.R.,1947,West African Timbers,Wood,12(6, pp172-6 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. 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. Okigbo, L., Von Wendorff, G.,1964,Some Nigerian Woods (2nd Edition,Federal Ministry of Information Lagos Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Rendle, B.J.,1938,Commercial Mahoganies and Allied Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No 18 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 Tailfer, Y.,1972,Les Acajous de la Foret Dense Zairoise leur Identification Forestiere,Musee Royale de L'Afrique Centrale Sciences Econo 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