Scientific Name
Blighia unijugata
Trade Name
Aklo kida
Family Name
Sapindaceae
Synonyms
Phialodiscus unijugatus, Phialodiscus zambesiacus, Blighia zambesiaca
Common Names
Aklo kida, Akye, Akyebiri, Akyefufu, Akyetabon, Akyewa, Ankyebiri, Ankyewa, Awole, Buba, Dimuma buba, Dimuma kalemba, Dumuma dia mpata, Edwendwena, Etedua, Ishin oko, Kaasi, Muhohote, Muikuni, Mukuzadhyana, Musandikira, Mwatebale, Nkuzanyana, Ojawala, Ukpe, Ukpe nehwi, Ukpe nofua, Usinogbigbbo, Yokomi
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Mine timbers, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Turnery
Heartwood Color
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Green/grey | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
| Straight |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Medium to coarse | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine to medium |
Luster
| Medium |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Perishable |
Kiln Schedules
| UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 | ||||||||||||
| Dry at a slow speed |
Ease of Drying
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Easy |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is not buttressed | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm |
Blunting Effect
| Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe |
Gluing
| Gluing is often difficult |
Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Sapwood is permeable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is permeable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is moderately resistant |
Resistance to Splitting
| Poor |
Response to Hand Tools
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Moderate working qualities | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Turning
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Easy to turn |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 6810 | 10586 | psi |
| Density | 37 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 1326 | lbs | |
| Impact Strength | 27 | inches | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3472 | 5777 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 2288 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1188 | 1383 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 36 | 29 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 6 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 478 | 744 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 592 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 601 | kg | |
| Impact Strength | 68 | cm | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 244 | 406 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 160 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 83 | 97 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 576 | 464 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 6 | % |
References
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
Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda
Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London
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
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
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
Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London
White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London