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Blunting Effect 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 Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding 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 Screwing Silica Content Staining Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Guibourtia pellegriniana Trade Name Bubinga Family Name Leguminosae Common Names Akume, Bubinga, Buvenga, Ebana, Essingang, Irun nduk, Kevazingo, Kevazingu, Lianu, Milne, Moubaka, Mouega, Mutenye, Ovang, Oveng, Waka, Waku Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tool handles, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Status unsure as a result of insufficient information Status unknown in many of its growth areas Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions. Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare in some parts of its natural range Extinct, Endangered, Rare, or Vulnerable in Gabon. Its environmental status in the wild is listed as unknown because of insufficient information in Angola, Cameroon, and Nigeria Distribution Overview West Africa, primarily in Gabon. Its range overlaps with two other closely related Guibourtia species, G. demeusei (which is more widely distributed from southeastern Nigeria through Cameroon and Gabon to the Congo Basin) and G. tessmannii (which grows mainly in Cameroon). Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellow Black Purple Orange Pale red to pink Reddish brown Brown The heartwood is pink or red brown with purple streaks. Sapwood Color White Yellow Red Green/Grey Pink White to yellow Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Even Closed Wavy Irregular Straight Distinct figure Interlocked Wavy Irregular Distinct and very fine figure Irregular grain in some logs is reported to produce highly decorative figure to rotary-cut veneer. Texture Medium Fine Fine Medium Fine to medium Even textured Coarse Luster Low Lustrous Dull Natural Durability Moderately durable Durable Susceptible to insect attack Very durable Non-durable Resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to termites Perishable Resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Vulnerable to attack by pinhole borers Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately resistant to marine borer attack Moderately resistant to decay Moderately resistant to attack by termites Moderately resistant to attack by marine borers Moderately durable Odor Unpleasent odor associated with freshly milled wood Freshly-Milled wood has a strong unpleasant odor which disappears after the wood is dried Silica Content High Likely to have significant impact on machining Contains silica Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed T2 - C2 (4/4); T2 - C1 (8/4) US Drying Defects Checking Splitting Slight end splitting No end splitting Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderately Difficult to Difficult Easy Difficult Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 0-10 m Product Sources The ITTO reports that the species is a regular source of timber for export. Three closely similar species of the genus Guibourtia are the source of Bubinga on the market. Highly figured material from the species is referred to in the trade as Kevazingo. The three species are G. demeusei from Nigeria to Congo, G. tessmannii from Cameroon, and G. pellegriniana from Gabon. Substitutes Muiracataria (Astronium leicointei) and Pao rosa (Swartzia fistuloides) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect High to severe Cuting edges are dulled moderately Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on machining is moderate Dulling effect on tool edges is moderate since the wood is rather dense and heavy. Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Difficult to saw Gluing Easy to glue Difficult to glue Mortising Easy to mortise Moulding Easy to mould Nailing Difficult to nail Pre-boring recommended Possible if prebored Good nailing qualities Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to plane Responds satisfactorily to all woodworking operations Planes to a poor finish Good response to both hand and machine tools The wood works well in most woodworking operations, including, planing, boring, moulding, and mortising. It responds generally well to hand and machine tools, but gum pockets may cause some difficulty while silica may cause cutting edges to blunt prematurely. Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to Work Easy to machine Good response to hand tools Slight dulling effect on cutting tools may occur due to silica content. Sanding Good sanding qualities Screwing Good screwing properties Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Turns well Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Various figures can yield decorative veneers Some logs are highly figured and are converted into attractive veneers for decorative applications such as, panelling, inlay work, high class furniture, and fancy turnery work. Polishing Fair to Good Results Good results Excellent results Staining Stains very well Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = hard Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 16108 24239 psi Density 55 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2628 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 10324 psi Shearing Strength 1883 psi Stiffness 1665 2101 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.8 Weight 53 52 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 12 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1132 1704 kg/cm2 Density 881 kg/m3 Hardness 1192 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 725 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 132 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 147 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.8 Weight 849 833 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % References Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Bubinga (Guiboutia spp,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.12,pp429-432 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1977,Bubinga (Guibourtia spp,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.173, pp23-35 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 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 France - C.T.F.T.,1961,Resultats des Observations et des Essais effectues au C.T.F.T. sur Bubinga,(Guibourtia spp.,C.T.F.T.,Information Tec.,No.118 France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 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 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. Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC Rendle, B.J. Editor. 1969. World Timbers, Volume One - Europe & Africa. Published by Ernest Benn Limited, Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London. 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 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