Countries of origin and local name
Cameroon: Amouk, Alenele
Guinea: Enuk enug
Gabon: Izingana
UK, USA: Zebrawood
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 | III |
| RAW DENSITY | 0.70-0.80 g/cm3 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 120 N/mm2 |
| COMPRESSION strength | 62 N/mm2 |
| E-Module | 14,200 N/mm2 |
| Volume dwindle | 15.0 % |
| Radial shrinkage | 5.0 % |
| Tangential shrinkage | 10.0 % |
Property and application
Zebrano is a medium-hard but very flexible wood with good physical properties. Drying is difficult and must be performed very slowly and evenly. When well-dried , the timber is highly insect-resistant. Zebrano is a popular veneer popular veneer wood, although the high resin content can make handling difficult. Intensive steaming is necessary prior to flat sawn veneer processing. Zebrano is also used for cabinetmaking, moulding work, decorative panels, and the production of expensive cigar boxes.
How to use it
Very Good
Flat sawn veneer
Good
Furniture, Paneling, Intarsia works, Cabinetmaking, Musical instrument, Modeling
Usable
Rotary cut veneer
Not Good
Flooring, Walls, decking, Doors, Construction wood, Staircases, Ship, rail & truck building, Weapons industry, Plywood, Window frames, Laboratory furniture & fittings, Blind veneer