Scientific Name:

Afzelia Africana

Other Name: Apa

Family:

Countries of origin and local name

Cameroon: Doussie

Ivory Coast: Lingue

Ghana: Papao

Congo Countries: Bolengu, Sifu sifu

Angola: Uvala

Tanzania: Mambakofi

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 0.75 g/cm3
BENDING STRENGTH 117 N/mm2
COMPRESSION strength 69 N/mm2
E-Module 14,500 N/mm2
Volume dwindle 7.0 %
Radial shrinkage 2.6 %
Tangential shrinkage 4.0 %

Property and application

Doussie is a hard and heavy wood, comparable to Iroko, and having similar uses. It is very stable and flexible. Kiln drying must be performed continuously and slowly; the wood’s small shrinkage property results in no cracking during drying. Doussie is an excellent choice for solid-wood furniture, parquet, heavy-duty flooring, laboratory furniture, school benches and garden furniture. Oil-based paint adheres badly to the wood, but clear lacquers and polyurethane have been successfully applied by European woodworkers.

How to use it

Very Good

Flooring, Construction wood, Ship, rail & truck building, Laboratory furniture & fittings

Good

Furniture, Walls, decking, Rotary cut veneer, Flat sawn veneer, Doors, Staircases, Window frames

Usable

Paneling, Cabinetmaking, Modeling, Weapons industry

Not Good

Intarsia works, Musical instrument, Plywood, Blind veneer

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