Combretodendron Macrocarpum (Esia)

Scientific Name
Combretodendron macrocarpum

Trade Name
Esia

Family Name
Lecythidaceae

Synonyms
Petersia africana, Petersia minor, Petersia viridifora, Petersianthus africanus, Combretodendron africanum, Combretodendron macrocarpum, Combretodendron viridiflorum, Combretum macrocarpum

Common Names
Abale, Abin, Abine, Abing, Akusun, Angweshi, Awewe, Bayombi, Bine, Bosaki, Bossoho, Boto, Busheki, Dekolambunda, Esia, Esia-kokobin, Esiapi, Essia, Kapuku mutshi, Kochibibi, Kpa, Minzu, Miuza, Mubuabua, Mubwabwa, Nfunzo, Nonong, Okpoha, Osa, Oto, Owewe, Oze, Pen, Soap tree, Stinkwood tree, Tu-tue, Tufei, Tuntue, Tutwo, Vulo, welo

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Zaire

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Construction, Core Stock, Crossties, Decorative veneer, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile

Distribution Overview
Throughout tropical West Africa, fairly common in wet forest areas, infrequent in the dry high forests.

Heartwood Color

Sapwood Color

Grain

Texture

Luster

Natural Durability

Odor

Kiln Schedules

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying

Kiln Drying Rate

Tree Identification

Tree Size

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect

Boring

Cutting Resistance

Fine sawdust produced from rip sawing may adhere to blades and cause them to overheat. Heavier than normal saws with a small pitch are recommended.

Gluing

Movement in Service

Nailing

Planing

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistance to Splitting

Response to Hand Tools

Screwing

Veneering Qualities

Steam Bending

Polishing

Staining

Strength Properties

Numerical Data

References
Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45

Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa.

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

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

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

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.,1950,The Seasoning Properties of Exotic Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research Leaflet,No.44 and supplements 1 & 2

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1951,Essia (Combretodendron africanum,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Timber Leaflet

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

Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim

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.,1961,Resultats des Observatioms et des Essais Effectues au C.T.F.T. sur Essia,C.T.F.T. Information Technique,No.111

France – C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12

Freitas, M.C.P.G. de,1961,Madeiras de Angola Series 1,Reprint from Garcia de Orta Lisbon,9(4,pp699-711

Ghana – Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board

Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun

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.

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. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees . Clarendon Press, Oxford.

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

Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159

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.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

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.,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

Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen