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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
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Silica Content
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning

Scientific Name
Erythrophleum suaveolens

Trade Name
Tali

Family Name
Leguminosae

Synonyms
Fillaea suaveolens


Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
A-kon, Aba, Abawa, Adjuga, Akpa, Akpa etuidiwi, Akwir, Alui, Arue, Atiemia, Atiuhia, Atsa, Baier, Baska, Bentabe, Betiche, Betomo, Bolondo, Boutite, Buirame, Buirane, Bungoro, Burene, Digpende, Earamor, Elegue-muani, Ellong, Elon, Elondo, Elone, Eloun, Elui, Elun, Erue, Erui, Erui-alui, Erun, Erun obo, Etsa, Gbangba-gbende, Gogbei, Gogwi, Gue, Guhie, Guilutu, Gwaska, Idip, Ifwon, Inyi, Inyin, Ipomi, Jallin baro, Jru, Ka-kontha, Kassa, Kbande, Keke-au, Kekeu, Koe-kon, Kokudabo, Kulenten, Kwon, Macone, Mancone, Manconi, Mbaraka, Mbele, Meli, Missanda, Mkarati, Mkelekele, Mkola, Muave, Mumara, Mwavi, N'kassa, Ndom, Ngogbei, Nkassa, Nko, Odiodi, Oginni, Oginyi, Orachi, Ordeal tree, Orhue, Ovinyin, Peli, Potrodom, Red water tree, Sachi, Sahi, Sangay, Sasswood, Sassy bark, Tali, Tali y roble africano, Talo, Tehi, Telehi, Teli, Tsa

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Charcoal, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory construction, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Siding, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Wharf construction, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Status has not been officially assessed


Distribution Overview
Found in gallery forests in the northern and central parts of Mozambique.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Green/grey
Yellow
Red
Orange
Black
White
Pink
Reddish brown
Brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Greenish to greyish
Dark brown
Yellowish brown
Red
Pale red to pink
Darkens significantly upon exposure
Dark brown

Species from East Africa are lighter in color

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
White to yellow
Well defined
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood


Grain
Interlocked
Figure
Distinct (figure)

Interlocked
Distinct figure

Typically highly interlocked, but is occasionally slightly interlocked.

Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Medium
Fine


Luster
Medium
Low
Lustrous


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


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Silica Content
High
Siliceous


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Unspecified toxicity
Respiratory effects
Sawdust can cause nose irritation in some individuals
Poisonous
Dermatitic effects

Seed and bark of the tree are poisonous if ingested.

Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Checking
Distortion
Splitting
Slight twist/warp
Slight end splitting
Moderate end spitting
Warping can be expected
Slight surface checking
No surface checking
No end splitting should be expected
Checking


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Slowly
Dries slowly


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Naturally dries slowly
Naturally dries quickly


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


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm
Bole length is 10-20 m
Bole length is 20-30 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bark width is 5-10 mm
Tree height is 40-50 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is an occasional source for timber production, and has a rather low export potential.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Known as Sasswood in Nigeria, the bark of this tree is reported to yield a poisonous extract that was used locally in trials by ordeal.

Blunting Effect
High to severe
Blunting effect on machining is severe
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe
Slight effect
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Boring
Difficult


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Specially-tipped cutters recommended
Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable


Gluing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to glue
May require surface treatment for best results
Difficult to glue


Movement in Service
Small


Nailing
Difficult to nail
Pre-boring required
Possible if prebored
Holds nails well


Planing
Difficult to plane
Planes well, to a good finish


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is highly resistant
Heartwood is resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Difficult to machine
Poor response to hand tools


Sanding
Good sanding finish
Easy to sand


Turning
Good results
Easy to turn
Difficult to turn


Polishing
Satisfactory results
Good results


Strength Properties
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Max. crushing strength = high
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Max. crushing strength = very high
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu.ft
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Hardness (side grain) = very hard
Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Shrinkage, Volumetric = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
High in density
Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1440223883psi
Density60lbs/ft3
Hardness2087lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength819111494psi
Shearing Strength2132psi
Stiffness186522341000 psi
Weight6255lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength10121679kg/cm2
Density961kg/m3
Hardness946kg
Maximum Crushing Strength575808kg/cm2
Shearing Strength149kg/cm2
Stiffness1311571000 kg/cm2
Weight993881kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
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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

Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]

Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75

Bentum, A.L.K.,1971,Properties of Ghanaian Timbers - Potrodom,Technical Newsletter Ghana,5(3/4, pp38-9

Bertin, A., Meniaud, J.,1949,Timbers of the Cameroons,Compagnie Francais du Cameroon,(Transl. by F.Jane)

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Tali (Erythropleum ivorense and E. guineense,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.9,pp67-70

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1977,Tali (Erythrophleum ivorense and Erythrophleum guineese,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.176,pp17-31

Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35

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

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Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi

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

Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London

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

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Ferreirinha, M.P.,1955,Catalogo des Madeiras de Mocambique (pt 1,Min. do Ultramar Junta Invest. do Ultranar Memorias Serie Botanica, 2

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1954,Hardwoods for Industrial Flooring,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet, No.48

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1955,Kiln-Drying Schedules,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Leaflet,No.42

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38

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

Fouarge, J.,1953,Bois du Congo,I.N.E.A.C.

France - C.T.F.T.,1960,Resultats des Observations et des Essais Effectues au C.T.F.T. sur,Erythrophleum sp.,C.T.F.T.,Information Technique, No.120

France - Comite Nacional des Bois Tropicaux,1938,Nos Bois Tropicaux Principaux Emplois et Essances Recommandees,Comite Nacional des Bois Tropicaux Technical paper (Paris)

Franco, E.J. Sampaio,1965,Sur l'Aptitude de quelques Bois Africains a l'Emploi dans les Travaux,Maritimes et la Construction Navale. (The suitability of some African,timbers for use in maritime structures and ship building.,Min. Das Obras Publicas, Lab.Nac. de Engenharia Civil Lisbon,,Memoria.,No.243 pp19

Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department

Gutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102

Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data

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