Scientific Name
Omphalocarpum elatum
Trade Name
Abaku-nini
Family Name
Sapotaceae
Synonyms
Omphalocarpum anocentrum
Common Names
Abaku-nini, Bot-lem, Brebretim, Deh, Duampompo, Esono dokono, Esonodokono, Njajui, Njayei, Timatebere, Timatibre, Tomatebere, Usha
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Canoes, Food containers, Musical instruments: percussion
Heartwood Color
Red | ||||||||||||
Brown | ||||||||||||
Pink | ||||||||||||
Purple | ||||||||||||
White to cream | ||||||||||||
Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
Red | ||||||||||||
Pale brown |
Sapwood Color
Paler than heartwood |
Grain
Even | ||||||||||||
Closed | ||||||||||||
Straight | ||||||||||||
Wavy |
Wavy | ||||||||||||
Straight |
Texture
Medium | ||||||||||||
Fine | ||||||||||||
Coarse |
Luster
Medium | ||||||||||||
Dull |
Natural Durability
Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
Perishable | ||||||||||||
Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
Moderately durable |
Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy |
Kiln Drying Rate
Rapid | ||||||||||||
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast |
Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed | ||||||||||||
Bole/stem form is fluted | ||||||||||||
Bole/stem form is buttressed |
Tree Size
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm | ||||||||||||
Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw |
Nailing
Fair to Good Results |
Planing
Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
Fair to Good Results |
Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood | ||||||||||||
Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
Easy to machine |
Sanding
Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
Fair to Good Results |
Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
Suitable for slicing |
Numerical Data
Item | Green | Dry | English |
References
Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153
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
Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone
Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and Sons