Scientific Name
Xylopia quintasii
Trade Name
Aghako
Family Name
Annonaceae
Common Names
Aghako, Asimba, Asimma, Bolonge, Brala, Elo, Gbanyi, Gbay, Gbay-dee, Kaba, Kpaini, Mvomba, Oba, Opalifon, Ovunien, Palufon, Udaofia, Waba
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zaire
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Chemical derivatives, Flooring, Heavy construction, Joinery, Millwork, Mine timbers, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown | ||||||||||||
| Brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
| Straight |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Perishable |
Light-Induced Color Change
| None |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 10-20 m |
Cutting Resistance
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw | ||||||||||||
| Moderate to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to glue |
Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Planes well, to a good finish | ||||||||||||
| Easy to plane |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Moderate working qualities | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Easy to turn |
Strength Properties
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = very high | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 20907 | 29271 | psi |
| Density | 54 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 1658 | lbs | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 6899 | 9945 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1560 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1665 | 1923 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 53 | 43 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 10 | % | |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 13 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 1469 | 2058 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 865 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 752 | kg | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 485 | 699 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 109 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 117 | 135 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 849 | 689 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 10 | % |
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
Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153
Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies
Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London
Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan
Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3
Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23
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