Scientific Name
Cola acuminata
Trade Name
Abe
Family Name
Sterculiaceae
Common Names
Abe, Abeu, Bissy, Cola, Cola nut, Cola tree, Coleira, Commercial cola nut tree, Dikenzu, Dikwa, Faux colatier, Goora nut, Kola tree, Korra, Makenga, Mukenzu, Muquesu, Suture
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo
Common Uses
Plywood
Heartwood Color
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Coarse |
Luster
| Low | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous |
Natural Durability
| Resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non durable |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Rapidly |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries quickly |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw |
Gluing
| Easy to glue |
Nailing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Planing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Painting
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results |
Varnishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 6111 | 9589 | psi |
| Density | 36 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 1326 | lbs | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3916 | 6397 | psi |
| Stiffness | 1358 | 1568 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 35 | 28 | lbs/ft3 |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 13 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 429 | 674 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 576 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 601 | kg | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 275 | 449 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 95 | 110 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 560 | 448 | kg/m3 |
References
Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153
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
Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London
Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159
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
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