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