Countries of origin and local name
Cameroon: Bibolo, Appo, Lavoa
Gabon: Bibolo, Sida
Ghana: Penkwa
Congo countries: Lifaki, Muindu
Habitat
Afrormosia is a rare tree species found in West and Central Africa, including the countries of Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and the Congo states. The tree grows primarily in groups.
Tree description
Afrormosia is a large tree reaching heights of 30-50 m (98-164 ft). The straight and cylindrical trunk is 60-160 cm (2-5 ft) in diameter, and is clear of branches for up to 30 m (98 ft). The scale-like bark is fibrous with strong red marks.
Wood description
The sapwood, about 3 cm (1.2 in) thick, is a lightly-colored mixture of white, green, and yellow. The core wood is greenish-brown with a silky luster and often displays greenish-red stripes. Pores may be filled with tannin, which can form calcium marks.
| DURABILITY CLASS | II |
| RAW DENSITY | 0.53 - 0.63 g/cm3 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 82 N/mm2 |
| COMPRESSION strength | 52 N/mm2 |
| E-Module | 8,400 N/mm2 |
| Volume dwindle | 9.3 % |
| Radial shrinkage | 3.6 % |
| Tangential shrinkage | 5.5 % |
Property and application
Dibetou has a high bending strength and can be easily processed to manufacture rotary-cut veneers. After the pores are properly filled, the wood can be polished, varnished, painted and glued without difficulty. Its good physical properties make it suitable for decorative furniture carpentry, particularly for antique furniture, chairs and upholstered furniture. It is also used for gunstocks.
How to use it
Very Good
Furniture, Rotary cut veneer, Weapons industry
Good
Walls, decking, Paneling, Intarsia works, Flat sawn veneer, Doors, Staircases
Usable
Flooring, Cabinetmaking
Not Good
Musical instrument, Modeling, Construction wood, Ship, rail & truck building, Plywood, Window frames, Laboratory furniture & fittings, Blind veneer