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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source 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 Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Abrasion Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Guarea cedrata Trade Name Guarea Family Name Meliaceae Common Names African cedar, Anokue, Belii, Bonsannua, Bosae, Bosasa, Bosassa, Bossassa, Bosse, Bosse clair, Bosse', Bossi, Cedar mahogany, Cedron, Diambi, Ditoke, Duruiti, Dzana, Ebangbembra, Ebangbemva, Edoucie', Guano blanco, Guarea, Guarea bosse, Guissu, Kwabohoro, Kwabohuro, Kwadwema, Light bosse, Lofun, Lombe, Mbosse', Ngbose, Nigerian cedar, Nigerian pearwood, Obobo, Obobo nofua, Obobo-nofwa, Obodo blanc, Onwamdua, Ossoung, Pahiapo, Penkwa, Scented guarea, Scented mahogany, Telemia, Tenumeadomei, Tshidiamakeka, White guarea Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zaire Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Stools, Structural plywood, Tables , Turnery, Utility furniture, Utility plywood, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Status unsure as a result of insufficient information Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions. Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare in some parts of its natural range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Secure in Cameroon, Congo, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, but it is officially classified as Endangered in Liberia and Vulnerable in the Ivory Coast. Its status in the wild is currently listed as unknown due to lack of information in Ghana, Nigeria, and Zaire Distribution Overview The range of both species overlaps in Ivory Coast, Ghana, and southern Nigeria. G. cedrata extends into the Cameroons. G. Cedreta trees are most common in moist semi-deciduous forest and in the dryer undisturbed areas of moist evergreen forest. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Orange Black Red Pale red to pink Brown Reddish brown Pale brown White to cream Pinkish brown Darkens with age The heartwood initially has a pale pinkish-brown mahogany color, but it darkens with age. Sapwood Color Yellow White White to yellow Paler than heartwood Well defined The sapwood is somewhat lighter and paler than the heartwood color, which is a pale pink brown when freshly cut, darkening on exposure. Grain Figure Straight Distinct (figure) Wavy Interlocked Mottled (figure) Closed Even Rippled (figure) Growth rings (figure) Straight Distinct figure Wavy Interlocked Figure shows mottle Rippled figure Curly Clear growth rings (figure) Plain-Cut material is reported to often show a small zig-zag figure. Texture Fine Coarse Medium Fine Fine to medium Medium Luster Lustrous Pronounced Natural Growth Defects Yellowish deposits in vessels Gum/resin exudation Gum spots which can easily be sanded off occasionally appear on boards and veneer. The gum can dull saws and cutters, especially when the wood is warm Natural Durability Durable Very durable Resistant to termites Moderately durable Durable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately durable Very durable Non durable Moderately resistant to attack by termites Moderately resistant to attack by pinhole borers Timber is moderately resistant to termites, and only occasionally attacked by pinhole borers. Resistance to white rot is variable. The species has good weathering characteristics. Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste Silica Content Siliceous Slight Contains silica The wood is reported to contain medium levels of silica (0.11% of ovendry weight). Silica levels above 0.05% is generally considered to be enough to affect the properties of timber. Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Sawdust can cause irritation in some individuals Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 UK=F US=T6D4/T3D3 Fr=6 Dry at a slow speed T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying Defects Slight twist/warp No twisting or warping No end splitting Slight end splitting Slight surface checking Expect resin/gum exudation No surface checking The wood tends to dry fairly rapidly with a slight tendency to warp. Kiln drying requires care to avoid resin exudation. There is also a tendency towards splitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Slowly Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Moderately Difficult to Difficult Easy Dries rapidly with little degrade Radial - 2.3% Shrinkage Values (Green to 12% MC) Tangential - 3.7% Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries at a moderate speed Naturally dries slowly Naturally dries quickly 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 cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 50-60 m Tree height is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Sapwood width is 10-15 cm It develops long and cylindrical boles, and is buttressed. Product Sources The ITTO reports that the species is an important and regular source of timber for export. Certified Source Certified Source Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Splitting There is a slight tendency for this stock to split. Blunting Effect Moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Medium effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Moderately easy The material has fairly good boring properties Carving Responds fairly well to carving Cutting Resistance Moderate to saw Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Low cutting resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Good gluing properties Mortising Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finishes well Fair mortising properties Moulding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good finishing results Fair moulding results (50+ % of pieces will yield good to excellent results) Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Small Stable Medium Properly seasoned timber is stable, and undergoes minimal dimensional changes in response to fluctuations in atmospheric conditions. Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Easy to nail Holds nails well Good nailing qualities Planing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Quartersawn material has slight tendency to pick up during planing. Resistance to Abrasion Highly resistant to wear Good for flooring Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Responds fairly well to hand tools Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Routing is easy Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good sanding qualities Easy to sand Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to screw Good screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turns well Veneering Qualities Suitable for slicing Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Steam Bending Poor to Very Poor Results Moderate Satisfactory Good Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Poor results Satisfactory results Good results Gum exudation from warm material is reported to occasionally increase polishing difficulty. Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finish is generally satisfactory Stains well Finish is generally good Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = very small Bending strength (MOR) = low Bending strength (MOR) = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Work to maximum load = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = very soft Toughness (total work) = very low Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Bending strength (MOR) = very high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 10167 14878 psi Density 36 lbs/ft3 Hardness 924 lbs Impact Strength 28 29 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4952 7548 psi Shearing Strength 2018 psi Stiffness 1367 1517 1000 psi Toughness 130 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 10 12 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.54 Weight 37 34 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 714 1046 kg/cm2 Density 576 kg/m3 Hardness 419 kg Impact Strength 71 73 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 348 530 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 141 kg/cm2 Stiffness 96 106 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 149 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.70 0.84 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.54 Weight 592 544 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % References Antoine, R.C., Berben, J.C.,1958,Le debit des bois a la scie a ruban - 3. Etude du sciage (4 spp.,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim Serie technique,No. 53 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] Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1951,Bosse (Guarea cedrata,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,20, pp251-4 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1978,Bosse (Guarea cedrata, Guarea laurentii and Guarea thompsonii,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.177,pp35-49 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 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough 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 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research 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 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./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,France Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32 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. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data 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 Into the Woods. 1993. Personal Communication. 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. 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. (Shrinkage data) Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series 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 Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3 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. 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 Saint-Aubin, G. de,1963,La Foret du Gabon,CTFT Publ., No.21 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 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1957,Survey of Africa Woods 3,Tropical Woods 16(107) pp92-128 Tack, C.H.,1953,Plywood and veneer species,Forest Department, Uganda. Technical Note 5/1953 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 Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition U.A.C.O. Timber Review,1962,A good all-rounder -Agba (Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum,U.A.C.O. Timber Review,6, pp2-6 Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1 Uganda Forestry Department,1954,Pilot tests of strength properties of some Ugandan grown timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber leaflet No. 46 Whitmore, T.C.,1973,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 2,Forest Department Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13