Scientific Name
Sacoglottis gabonensis
Trade Name
Akouapo
Family Name
Humiriaceae
Synonyms
Aubrya occidentalis, Houmiri gabonensis
Common Names
Afamkokoo, Akouapo, Amuan, Atala, Attalla, Bebvo, Bidou, Bitter bark, Boboua, Cherry, Dauh, Dewe, Doh, Edat, Edoue, Efuanle, Eloue, Eruk, Essoua, Esua, Fawire, Fuale, Gbokone, Idon, Illouye, Ioon, Issoua, Itala, Kpo-weli, Kweo, Mahogany, Mosouhouga, Nche, Ndat, Niouka, Ntala, Okpi-uta, Osonga, Ozongo, Ozouga, Tala, Tiabutuo, Toboe, Tssoua, Ugu, wewe
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zaire
Common Uses
Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Charcoal, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Crossties, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Precision instruments, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables , Turnery, Vehicle parts
Environmental Profile
| Questionable | ||||||||||||
| Status has not been officially assessed |
Distribution Overview
reported to grow in lowland rain forests, especially in freshwater swamp forests. Its range extends from Sierra Leone to Gabon, Zaire and Angola.
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Black | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Purple-Red | ||||||||||||
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Greenish to greyish | ||||||||||||
| Dark brown | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Brown – medium value |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow | ||||||||||||
| Color not distinct from heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Pinkish |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Weak (figure) |
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Weak figure | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure |
Produces a figure described as subdued and pleasing
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Even or uniform | ||||||||||||
| Very fine | ||||||||||||
| Uniform | ||||||||||||
| Resinous and oily | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Even textured |
Luster
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Low | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous |
Natural Durability
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) |
The heartwood is naturally resistant to decay, and is not susceptible to attack by insects.
The timber has excellent weathering properties, and is well suited for use in exterior applications, such as siding.
Odor
| Has an odor |
Kiln Schedules
| Dry at a slow speed | ||||||||||||
| Dry at a moderate speed |
Drying Defects
| Moderate twist/warp | ||||||||||||
| Moderate surface checking |
The wood has a tendency to warp and check, if it is dried too rapidly.
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Slowly | ||||||||||||
| Reconditioning Treatement | ||||||||||||
| Requires slow and careful seasoning to prevent degrade. |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries slowly |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is buttressed | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is fluted | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is misshapen |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 0-10 m |
Trunk diameter of 30 to 48 inches (80 to 120 cm) above buttresses.
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory
The bark is used to add a bitter taste to palm wine
Boring
| Fair to good results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly easy to very easy | ||||||||||||
| Timber responds fairly well to ordinary machine tools |
Carving
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Reasonably good |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Wood is hard | ||||||||||||
| Fairly easy with ordinary tools |
Gluing
| Surface Preparation | ||||||||||||
| Moderate gluing properties | ||||||||||||
| Good properties | ||||||||||||
| Easy to glue |
Mortising
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair mortising properties | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to mortise |
Moulding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to mould |
Response to moulding operations is reasonably good.
Movement in Service
| Fairly stable |
Nailing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to nail | ||||||||||||
| Holds nails well |
Planing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Easy to plane | ||||||||||||
| Fairly good properties |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Permeable sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Responds Readily | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine | ||||||||||||
| Fairly good | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to machine |
Routing & Recessing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly good routing response |
Sanding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Good characteristics |
Screwing
| Good screw holding properties | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to screw |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Responds fairly well to boring |
Painting
| Surface Preparation |
Polishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Well defined | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory results |
Staining
| Surface Preparation |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu.ft | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = very high | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = hard | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = very high | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = very hard | ||||||||||||
| Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high |
The species is considerably stronger than White oak or Teak
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 14488 | 21937 | psi |
| Density | 54 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 2201 | lbs | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 7370 | 11063 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 2302 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 2082 | 2397 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 53 | 43 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | % | |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 12 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 1018 | 1542 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 865 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 998 | kg | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 518 | 777 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 161 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 146 | 168 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 849 | 689 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | % |
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]
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Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany
Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department
Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun
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Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
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Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan
Kennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer Lagos
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Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l’Union Francaise,C.T.F.T
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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
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Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London
Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen