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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 Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Mansonia altissima Trade Name Mansonia Family Name Sterculiaceae Common Names African black walnut, African walnut, Afun, Anyi, Aprend, Aprono, Baule, Bete, Bodua, Boroua, Essai, Guissepa, Koul, Mansonia, Nkoul, Odo, Ododo, Ofun, Oprono, Prono, Pruno, Purono, Urodo Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Togo Common Uses Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Bobbins, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Office furniture, Organ pipes, Paneling , Paneling, Piano keys, Pianos , Picker sticks, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Shingles, Specialty items, Sporting Goods, Tables, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Vulnerable Extinct Endangered He environmental profile of this species within its natural boundaries has not been officially assessed. Distribution Overview This species occurs in Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. It prefers dry fertile forest soil over wet forest and tends to be drought tolerant. Heartwood Color Brown Red Purple Black Greenish to greyish Brown Purple Dark brown Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Purplish tinge Purple tinge fades Light yellow brown or pale orange brown, eventually aging into deep golden-brown Dark grey-brown Color variation is significant Black Alternating bands of light and dark tissue Sapwood Color White Brown Yellow Pink White to yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood Whitish Different than heartwood Grain Straight Figure Rippled (figure) Interlocked Growth rings (figure) Even Distinct (figure) Rays (figure) Variable (figure) Stripe (figure) Straight Rippled figure Interlocked Clear growth rings (figure) Distinct figure Striped figure Rays figure Occasionally interlocked, but not always Irregular color Generally straight, but not always The heartwood is similar in appearance to American black walnut, but it has closer pores and a different grain structure. Texture Fine Medium Even or uniform Uniform Fine Fine to medium Medium Even textured Luster Medium Lustrous Dull Pronounced Low to Medium Natural Durability Durable Very durable Resistant to termites Moderately durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Very durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Resistant to attack from marine borers Moderately durable Durable Susceptible to pin hole borer and longhorn beetle Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Heartwood is fairly resistant to termites and other insects Good weathering properties Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Lighter Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Sawdust is extremely irritating especially to respiratory passages Bark contians poison The bark of the wood also contains mansonin, a cardiac poison of the digitalis group Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 T8 - D3 (8/4) US T10 - D4 (4/4) US Kiln Schedule H; United Kingdom Drying Defects Splitting Checking Distortion Moderate end spitting Slight end splitting Severe end splitting Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking No twisting or warping Moderate twist/warp Expect moderate degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Slowly Easy Requires care Dries rapidly with little degrade Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Drying rate is slow Slow Very slow 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 not buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Product Sources The ITTO reports that the species is a regular source of timber for export. Export of the material in the log form is prohibited in Ghana and Nigeria. Mansonia is available in limited quantities in both the lumber and veneer forms. It is priced in the moderate range, but is more expensive than American black walnut. Substitutes Piquia (Caryocar villosum) has similar properties. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on machining is moderate Slight to medium effect Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Excellent boring qualities Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Carves well in dry condition Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Easy to saw Gluing Easy to glue Good gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good mortising properties Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Excellent moulding properties Movement in Service Medium Moderate stability Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to nail Possible if prebored Good nailing properties Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Routing yields good results Sanding Good sanding finish Easy to sand Screwing Easy to screw Screwing yields good results Excellent screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Veneering Qualities No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Easy to cut Steam Bending Good Moderate Best if green to prevent buckling and fracture Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Staining Finish is generally good Staining is usually excellent Strength Properties Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = low Toughness-Hammer drop (impact strength) = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impace Strength) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = large Resists denting and marring Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = high Heavy Hardness = medium Hardness (side grain) = hard Density = high Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Mansonia is used by the automobile industry for interior applications such as, fascias, dashboards, and window trims. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 12051 17409 psi Density 40 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1469 lbs Impact Strength 39 43 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5983 8430 psi Shearing Strength 2148 psi Stiffness 1439 1644 1000 psi Toughness 245 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 13 16 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.5 0.55 Weight 39 39 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 847 1224 kg/cm2 Density 641 kg/m3 Hardness 666 kg Impact Strength 98 109 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 420 592 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 151 kg/cm2 Stiffness 101 115 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 282 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.91 1.12 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.5 0.55 Weight 624 624 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % References 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] Bentum, A.L.K.,1970,Properties of Ghanian Timbers - Mansonia,Ghana Forest Products Research Institute Technical Newsletter,4(1,pp30-2 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Bete (Mansonia altissima,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.11, pp295-8 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1977,Bete (Mansonia altissima,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.171, pp31-44 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 Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia Bond, C.W.,1950,Colonial Timbers,Sir Issac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London 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. Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Cudjoe, F.S.,1969,A Key to the Family Sterculiaceae in Ghana,Forest Prod. Res. Inst. Ghana Tech. Note, No.7 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 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 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 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.,1959,Bois a Parquets,C.T.F.T.,Information Tec.,No.6 France - C.T.F.T.,1960,Resultats des observations et des essais effectues au CTFT sur le Bete,C.T.F.T. Information Technique, No.64 France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 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 Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun 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 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 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 Kaiser, J. 1993. Wood of the Month - Mansonia: Alike, but not Akin, to American Black Walnut. Wood & Wood Products, January 1993, Page 44. 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 Kline, M. 1984. Mansonia altissima - Mansonia. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 230. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. 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London Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7 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.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38 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 Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Tropical Timber Information Center U.S.A.,1975,Mansonia (Mansonia altissima,State Univ., New York T.T.I.C. Bulletin,No.1 Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13