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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 Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Mitragyna ciliata Trade Name Abura Family Name Rubiaceae Synonyms Mitragyna ciliata, Hallea ciliata Common Names Abura, Agofa, Andinding, Andiniding, Atchiupon, Bahia, Bakia, Baya, Beya, Bodo, Bourafete, Camaroncillo, Eben, Elelom, Elelom n'zame, Elelome n'zame, Elelon, Elolom, Enoupou, Epoukou, False opepe, Louambo, M'boy, M'po, M'voukou, M'vuku masa, Malamba, Maluku, Maza, Moukonia, Mujiura, Mushiwa, N'toval, N'towo, Nzingu, Obo, Ohombe, Oro, Ossoupou, Poplar, Popo, Propro, Sofoa, Soufo, Sozo, Subaha, Suhaba, Sukaba, Tobou, Uburu, Uwen, Vuku Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia Common Uses Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Cooperages, Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Fine furniture, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hardboards, Hatracks, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Mine timbers, Model airplanes, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Musical instruments: piano, Oars, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Pencil, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes, Woodwork Environmental Profile Status unknown in parts of its range Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions. Endangered within parts of its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Endangered in Benin and Vulnerable in Ivory Coast and Liberia. Its status in the wild is currently listed as unknown because of insufficient information in Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zaire Distribution Overview The species occurs primarily in West and Central Africa, from Sierra Leone to the Congo region and Angola. It is described as gregarious and is usually found in freshwater swamps Heartwood Color Purple Red Brown Pale brown Pale red to pink Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown Greenish to greyish Brown Red Sapwood Color White to yellow Same as heartwood Light brown to pink brown Gum veins appear as dark streaks Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Crossed Even Weak (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Weak figure Moderately straight to interlocked Texture Medium Fine Very even Medium Fine to medium Luster Medium Dull Low Natural Growth Defects Spongy heart may be present. Use care if heartwood is spongy Natural Durability Durable Moderately durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Non durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Perishable Susceptible to marine borer attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Moderately durable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Susceptible to termite attack Susceptible to pinhole borers Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Moderately susceptible to teredo worms Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Durable Contains alkaloids giving it good acid resistance Odor Unpleasant odor No taste Silica Content Likely to have significant impact on machining Contains significant silica (up to .25% of dry weight) Toxicity Dermatitic effects Respiratory effects Unspecified toxicity Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=K US=T13C4S/T11D3S Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid T13 - C45 (4/4) US T11 - D35 (8/4) US Schedule K; United Kingdom Drying Defects Slight end splitting Slight twist/warp No twisting or warping No end splitting Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Easy Shakes must be removed during conversion Dries rapidly with little degrade Kiln Drying Rate Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is variable Slight to severe depending upon silica content Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Easy Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Requires sharp cutters Gluing Easy to glue Glues well Mortising Easy to mortise Moulding Easy to mould Movement in Service Small Stable Nailing Easy to nail Holds nails well Possible if prebored Accepts thin nails well Planing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Easy to plane The material works easily in planing, turning, moulding, mortising, boring, and routing. It responds rather well to both hand and machine tools, but they should be kept very sharp for best results since the timber is siliceous. Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Variable qualities Good response Cutting edges become dull very quickly Sanding Good sanding finish Screwing Screwing yields good results Good screwing properties Turning Easy to turn Good results Veneering Qualities Good gluing qualities Easy to cut Bolt preparation requires steaming Steam Bending Very poor Poor Painting Good results Polishing Good results Satisfactory results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Max. crushing strength = low Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Work to Maximum Load = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Weight = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impace Strength) = medium Toughness (total work) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Resists denting and marring Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = medium Density = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = very low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7287 10758 psi Density 33 lbs/ft3 Hardness 817 lbs Impact Strength 32 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3740 5982 psi Shearing Strength 1767 psi Stiffness 1108 1340 1000 psi Toughness 106 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 5 7 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.41 0.52 Weight 33 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 12 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 512 756 kg/cm2 Density 528 kg/m3 Hardness 370 kg Impact Strength 81 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 262 420 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 124 kg/cm2 Stiffness 77 94 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 122 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.49 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.41 0.52 Weight 528 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Arkwright, P.,1955,Know your Timbers No.15 Abura,Woodworking Industry,12(3, p177 Bertin, A., Meniaud, J.,1949,Timbers of the Cameroons,Compagnie Francais du Cameroon,(Transl. by F.Jane) Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1948,Bahia (Mitragyne ciliata,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.5,pp37-40 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Bubinga (Guiboutia spp,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.12,pp429-432 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1976,Bahia (Mitragyna ciliata,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No165,pp21-34 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 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 Dahms, K.G.,1968,Afrikanische Exportholzer,D.R.W Verlags Stuttgart Edlin, H.L.,1969,What wood is that? A Manual of Wood Identification,Jarrold and Sons Ltd. Norwich 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.,1968,Report on a Consignment of Heglig (Balanites aegyptiaca) from the Republic,of the Sudan,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Reports on,Overseas Timber, No.9 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 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.,1961,Resultats des Observations et des Essais effectues au CTFT sur Abura,C.T.F.T. Information technique,No.109 France - C.T.F.T.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 Leaflets France - C.T.F.T.,Promotion of Ivory Coast Timbers. New Series (Leaflets,C.T.F.T. France - C.T.F.T.,Recuil de Fiches Techniques,C.T.F.T. 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 Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London 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 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 Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Menon, K.D.,1958,Susceptibility of Commercial Species of Malayan Timbers to Powder-post,Beetle,Attack,Malayan Forest Service Trade Leaflet,no.27 Okigbo, L., Von Wendorff, G.,1964,Some Nigerian Woods (2nd Edition,Federal Ministry of Information Lagos Osain, E.J.,1973,An autecological study of Mitragyna ciliata,Obeche,No. 8/9, pp19-36 Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press 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.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23 Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. 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 Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and Sons Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13