Turraeanthus Africanus (Avodire)

Scientific Name
Turraeanthus africanus

Trade Name
Avodire

Family Name
Meliaceae

Synonyms
Turraeanthus malchiri, Turraeanthus vignei, Turraeanthus zenkeri, Bingeria africana

Common Names
Adoma, African furniture wood, African satinwood, Agbe, Agbouain, Agboue, Agboui, Aneadwen, Aniadwen, Anyadwe, Apapaye, Apata, Apaya, Apeya, Appayia, Assama, Avodere, Avodire, Blimah-pu, Blimahpu, Duabedom, Engan, Enyaadwene, Esu, Gakrada, Guaso, Gyakrada, Hadwe, Hague, Hakue, Kakne, Kisanda, Kwadwema, Lusamba, M’fube, Oduma, Olon, Songo, Sunkroasu, Wansenwa, White mahohany, Wogya, Wonzanwa

Regions of Distribution
Africa

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

Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments , Office furniture, Organ pipes, Paneling, Particleboard, Piano keys, Pianos , Plain veneer, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Sounding boards, Stools, Tables , Utility furniture, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Violin bows, Violin, Wardrobes, Xylophones

Environmental Profile

Vulnerable in the Ivory Coast. Rare in Uganda. Status unknown due to insufficient information in Angola, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zaire

Distribution Overview
Avodire is distributed in tropical Africa, from Sierra Leone to the Congo region and Angola, and is most common in the eastern region of Ivory Coast. It is usually found in dense stands in rain forests, alongside lakes and streams.

Heartwood Color

The wood is described as very attractive, with a golden yellow cast and a clear grain, and is similar in appearance to Primavera (Cybistax=Tabebuia donnell-smithii ).

Sapwood Color

Though the sapwood is occasionally marked by staining fungi, there is little or no distinction between sapwood and heartwood.

Grain

Wavy or irregularly interlocked grain produces a highly attractive figures such as, striped, mottled, and curled. The wood is also reported to have what is described as a robe grain. Figured material is very popular for quarter cut decorative veneers, and plain, straight-grained wood is generally favored for plywood and high class joinery

Texture

Texture has been compared to that of mahogany.

Luster

The wood has a high natural luster which has also been compared to that of the mahoganies.

Natural Growth Defects

The wood may contain some brittleheart and interior gall pockets.

Natural Durability

Odor

Light-Induced Color Change

Toxicity

Irritant substances in the wood have been associated with nose bleeding, dermatitis, and internal bleeding in some individuals.

Kiln Schedules

Drying Defects

Slight end splitting
Existing shakes or end-checks are liable to extend, and splits may also occur in and around knots

Ease of Drying

Kiln Drying Rate

Tree Identification

Tree Size

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced regularly but in low quantities and is exported regularly.

The material is exported from the Ivory Coast to the world market in log form. Quantities are low and price is usually in the moderate range. The price of Avodire varies with grade and type of grain in the veneer. Avodire veneer of architectural grade is in the moderate price range.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect

Boring

Interlocked and wavy grain may interfere with boring, but the material works fairly well with ordinary machine tools

Carving

Slight dulling effect on cutting edges

Cutting Resistance

Gluing

Mortising

Sight blunting effect on cutting edges

Moulding
A French head is recommended for better results in moulding operations

Movement in Service

Nailing

Planing

A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees or less is recommended to prevent interlocked grain from picking up in planing operations

Resistance to Impregnation

Response to Hand Tools

The timber usually has interlocked or wavy grain

Routing & Recessing

Sanding

Screwing

Turning

Material containing interlocked or wavy grain may require a reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees for smooth, finished surfaces

Veneering Qualities

Steam Bending

Painting

Painting qualities are good, but quartersawn surfaces may be uneven.

Polishing

Staining

There may be some unevenness on quartersawn surfaces.

Strength Properties

Avodire exhibits similar machining characteristics to those of the mahoganies since they are in the same botanical family. It is also reported to have almost the same strength properties as English oak (Quercus ), although it is about 15 percent lighter. The wood is slightly better to work with than Primavera. It is rated as medium in crushing and bending strengths, and low in shock resistance and stiffness. Hardness is rated as medium, weight is about average, and it has high density. Timber produced by the species is often mixed and marketed with that ofTurreanthus vignei .

Numerical Data

References
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