Scientific Name
Uapaca guineensis
Trade Name
Abo
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
Uapaca bingervillensis, Uapaca laurentii, Uapaca mole, Uapaca perrottii, Antidesma guineensis
Common Names
Abo, Alaba, Alebie, Alobo, Alohowa, Alohua, Alokaba, Alokoba, An-lil, Assam, Be-yo, Biyo, Borikio, Bosenge, Bou-rikio, Dombe, Dumbe, E-lil, Edan, Elehowa, Elekhua, Emido, False mahogany, Gag-assam, Gondi, Ile, Ishase, Jagale, Kaango, Kafaffago, Kafafogo, Kahie, Kahio, Kajafogo, Kayo, Kindi, Koe-lil, Kondi, Kondii, Koondi, Kulil, Kundi, Kuntad, Kuntan, Kwintan, Me-kundi, Mole, Mukusu, Mulengu, Mutakale, N’nan, N’sanvi, Nere-kere, Nja-kundi, Nsanvi, Obia, Obubit nkpenek, Okon, Onye, Oreng, Oriang, Orobo, Oyen, Red cedar, Rikio, Senchi, Shasun, Soang-nasa, Sofiro, Some, Somo, Somon, Suang, Sugar plum, Tiom’bi, Tshilengu, Tuo-le, Umpwenek, Voapaca, Yere, Yeye
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zaire
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Canoes, Charcoal, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts
Environmental Profile
| Abundant/Secure | ||||||||||||
| Endangered |
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Greenish to greyish | ||||||||||||
| Dark brown | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Dark brown |
Sapwood Color
| Paler than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Pinkish | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Even |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Fine to medium | ||||||||||||
| Medium coarse to coarse |
Luster
| Lustrous |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable |
Odor
| Has an odor |
Light-Induced Color Change
| None |
Drying Defects
| Distortion |
Ease of Drying
| Rapidly | ||||||||||||
| Thick Stock Requires Care | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is unknown | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is not buttressed | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is misshapen | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is cylindrical | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Blunting Effect
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on machining is severe |
Boring
| Difficult |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw |
Gluing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to glue |
Nailing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to nail |
Planing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Permeable sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is permeable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is resistant | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is moderately resistant |
Response to Hand Tools
| Responds Readily | ||||||||||||
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Sanding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Screwing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Turning
| Difficult to turn |
Veneering Qualities
| Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts | ||||||||||||
| Diifficult to veneer |
Steam Bending
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Tends to Degrade | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Painting
| Good results |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Staining
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = very soft | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = very high |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 11916 | 18226 | psi |
| Density | 43 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 992 | lbs | |
| Impact Strength | 47 | inches | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 4911 | 7579 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1334 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1589 | 1835 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 42 | 34 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | % | |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 13 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 837 | 1281 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 689 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 449 | kg | |
| Impact Strength | 119 | cm | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 345 | 532 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 93 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 111 | 129 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 673 | 544 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | % |
References
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Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany
Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda
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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
Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159
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Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.
Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone
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
Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen