Scientific Name
Heritiera utilis
Trade Name
Niangon
Family Name
Sterculiaceae
Synonyms
Triplochiton utils
Common Names
Atabene, Awabima, Bai, Cola mahogany, Damlu, De-orh, Denerenafa, Fiya-yaw, Hamon, Ka-fol-fol, Kwaeduma, Niangon, Nyangoe, Nyangoule, Nyangwen, Nyangwene, Nyankom, Nyankum, Nyanwen, Nyanwone, Nyawene, Ogoue, Pteryyota wawampe’e, Red cedar, Rezogoue, Wishmore, Wismore, Yankom, Yankun, Yauwi, Yaw, Yawe, Yawi-kaima, Yawii, Yawio
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture, General carpentry, Greenhouses, Handles: woodworking tools, Heavy construction, Joinery, Lifeboats, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer
Environmental Profile
| Vulnerable with the possibility of extinction in the future | ||||||||||||
| Status in wild is currently unknown | ||||||||||||
| Secure in many areas of its range | ||||||||||||
| Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center |
Distribution Overview
C�te d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The species occurs in lowland evergreen wet and moist forest and swamp forest. A timber species which occurs commonly in remaining areas of forest in the Upper Guinea region and Gabon, especially evergreen forest.
Heartwood Color
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown | ||||||||||||
| Darkens with age | ||||||||||||
| Dark brown | ||||||||||||
| Brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Different than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Paler than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow | ||||||||||||
| Whitish | ||||||||||||
| Well defined | ||||||||||||
| Not always clearly defined |
Grain
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Stripe (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Rippled (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Rays (figure) |
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Striped figure | ||||||||||||
| Rippled figure | ||||||||||||
| Rays figure | ||||||||||||
| Occasionally wavy | ||||||||||||
| Generally interlocked |
High rays produce a distinct attractive figure on radial surfaces.
Texture
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Medium to coarse |
Luster
| Low | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous | ||||||||||||
| Pronounced | ||||||||||||
| Slightly lustrous | ||||||||||||
| Dull |
Natural Growth Defects
| Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive | ||||||||||||
| Gum and mineral deposits |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to decay | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Non durable |
Odor
| Unpleasant odor | ||||||||||||
| No specific taste |
Toxicity
| Dermatitic effects |
Kiln Schedules
| Drying (speed) is fast | ||||||||||||
| Dry at a slow speed | ||||||||||||
| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid | ||||||||||||
| UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 | ||||||||||||
| T6-D2 (4/4) US | ||||||||||||
| T3 – D1 (8/4) US | ||||||||||||
| Schedule E (4/4) United Kingdom |
Drying Defects
| Slight end splitting | ||||||||||||
| Slight surface checking | ||||||||||||
| Moderate twist/warp | ||||||||||||
| Slight collapse and honeycomb | ||||||||||||
| No collapse/honeycomb | ||||||||||||
| Slight distortion | ||||||||||||
| Expect resin/gum exudation |
Ease of Drying
| Easy | ||||||||||||
| Dries rapidly with little degrade |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is buttressed | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is cylindrical | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is straight |
Tree Size
| Bark width is 5-10 mm | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m |
Product Sources
The timber is often marketed with another similar but darker and somewhat heavier wood produced by (H. densiflora) which grows mainly in Central Africa under the trade name Niangon.
The International Tropical Timbers Organization reports that Niangon is a fairly important source of timber in the producing countries, although prduction is decreasing. Niangon is a regular export commodity.
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Hard, strong wood recommended for external door frames and greenhouses
Blunting Effect
| Blunting effect on machining is moderate | ||||||||||||
| Medium effect | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on machining is slight |
Boring
| Easy | ||||||||||||
| Moderately easy | ||||||||||||
| Areas of interlocked grain affect results |
Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is variable | ||||||||||||
| Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable |
Gluing
| Easy to glue | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to glue | ||||||||||||
| May require surface treatment for best results | ||||||||||||
| Glues well |
Pre-Treatment of the surface with a caustic soda solution or ammonia is recommended to remove exuded gum
Moulding
| Poor moulding results | ||||||||||||
| French head recommended |
Movement in Service
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Moderate movement after manufacture | ||||||||||||
| Large |
Nailing
| Easy to nail | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to nail | ||||||||||||
| Holds nails well | ||||||||||||
| Tends to split during nailing |
Planing
| Easy to plane | ||||||||||||
| Reduction of cutting angle prevents tearing in quartersawn material |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Heartwood is extremely resistant | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is resistant | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is resistant | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is moderately resistant | ||||||||||||
| Extremely resistant |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine | ||||||||||||
| Variable qualities | ||||||||||||
| Moderate working qualities | ||||||||||||
| Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to machine |
Sanding
| Easy to sand |
Screwing
| Easy to screw |
Veneering Qualities
| Various figures can yield decorative veneers | ||||||||||||
| There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits | ||||||||||||
| Easy to cut |
Steam Bending
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| Knots have little impact | ||||||||||||
| Generally moderate | ||||||||||||
| Extremely variable |
Polishing
| Satisfactory results | ||||||||||||
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Requires a filler |
Staining
| Finish is generally good | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to stain. |
Surface preservation treatments require to be preceded by preparation with ammonia or caustic soda.
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = very high |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 9735 | 13714 | psi |
| Density | 40 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 1299 | lbs | |
| Impact Strength | 27 | 28 | inches |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 4721 | 7077 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1597 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1260 | 1448 | 1000 psi |
| Work to Maximum Load | 10 | 10 | inch-lbs/in3 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.5 | 0.52 | |
| Weight | 40 | 39 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 684 | 964 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 641 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 589 | kg | |
| Impact Strength | 68 | 71 | cm |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 331 | 497 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 112 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 88 | 101 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Work to Maximum Load | 0.70 | 0.70 | cm-kg/cm3 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.5 | 0.52 | |
| Weight | 641 | 624 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % |
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