Hardwood (28)
Hallea ciliate, Mitragyna ciliata
Known also as bahia (Ivory Coast), subaha (Ghana), mboi (Sierra Leone), elolom (Cameroon) and elolom nzam (Gabon). Related species from Uganda are sold as nzingu.
Where it grows
Abura grows in the coastal forests of West Africa from Sierra Leone and Liberia to Cameroon and Gabon.
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sapwood | not clearly defined from the heartwood | 
|
| Heartwood | pink beige to pinkish brown, darkening on exposure | |
| Grain | straight or slightly interlocked | |
| Height | 100 ft with diameter of about 3'-5' | |
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Green weight kg/m³ | 900-950 |
| Specific gravity at 12 % M.C. (kg/m³) | 565 medium |
| Volumetric swelling for 1% M.C. variation V% | 0,42 medium |
| Crushing strength (N/mm²) C12 | 45 |
| Static bending strength (N/mm²) F12 | 100 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (N/mm²) E12 | 7700 |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
|
« Poor
Good »
|
|
| Sawing | 
|
| Drying |
|
| Machining |
|
| Wood Bending |
|
| Gluing |
|
| Nailing |
|
| Finishing |
|
End Uses
Interior joinery, moulding, furniture components, house framing, plywood and carving.
Remarks
Medium crushing strength, perishable durability and moderately resistant to preservative treatment. Abura is one of the best West African timbers for mouldings.
American hardwood is different types of timber and the main use is for constructions and furnitures.
Use the menu on the left for more information
Fraxinus spp
Known also as Northern ash and Southern ash.
Where it grows
Ash grows throughout Eastern USA.
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sapwood | light copoured nearly white |  |
| Heartwood |
grayish brown to light brown and pale yellow streaked with brown |
|
| Grain | straight | |
| Height |
70-80 ft with diameter 2'-4' |
|
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Average weight at 12% M.C ( kg/m³) | 673 |
| Specific gravity at 12 % M.C. | 0,60 |
| Average Volumetric Shrinkage Green to 6 % M.C (%) | 10,7 |
| Crushing strength |
very good |
| Bending strength | very good |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Mpa) | 11,977 |
| Hardness (N) | 5871 |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
|
« Poor
Good »
| |
| Drying | |
| Machining | |
| Wood Bending | |
| Gluing | |
| Nailing | |
| Finishing | |
End Uses
Flooring, joinery and moulding, panelling, doors, cabinets and furniture.
Remarks
The heartwood is moderately resistant to treatment with preservatives. The sapwood is permeable. It has excellent shock resistance. The properties of ash can vary according to the growing region. American ash is similar in appearance to European ash.
Fagus spp., F.sylvatica, L. produces Europen
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wood | pale cream to pinkish brown weathered to deep reddish bronze brown after steaming |  |
| Grain | straight | |
|
Height |
150 ft with diameter 4' |
|
| Properies | |
|---|---|
| Seasoned Weight (kg/m³) | 720 |
| Crushing Strength | high |
| Bending Strength | medium |
| Steam Bending |
very good |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
|
« Poor
Good »
| |
| Μachining | |
| Gluing | |
| Nailing | |
|
Finishing |
|
End uses
Furniture, interior joinery, when treated also exterior joinery, domestic woodware, sports goods, parts of musical instruments, plywood, veneer and flooring.
Remarks
Beech is most popular general purpose timber. Beech is classified as permeable for preservative treatment. It dries rapidly and well but is moderately refractory and shrinks considerably in service.| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Quality | Dimensions |
|
Super Extra |
26(23.8) x 130 & up x 2200, 2450, 2750 mm |
| Super Extra |
26(23.8) x 130 & up x 3100, 3400, 3800, 4000 mm |
| Super Extra |
52(48.5) x 130 & up x 2200, 2450, 2750 mm |
| Super Extra | 52(48.5) x 130 & up x 3100, 3400, 3800, 4000 mm |
STEAMED PLANED, 4 SIDES CLEAR 90%, KD 8-10%
Betula pendula
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wood | creamy white to pale brown |  |
| Grain | straight | |
| Height |
60-70 ft with diameter 2''-3'' |
|
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Seasoned weight (kg/m³) | 660 |
| Crushing strength | high |
| Bending strength |
high |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
|
« Poor
Good »
| |
| Μachining | |
| Gluing | |
|
Nailing |
|
| Finishing | |
End Uses
Plywood, upholstery framing, interior joinery, furniture, turnery, decorative veneer for doors and paneling.
Remarks
Birch can be found further north than any other broadleaved tree. It is sold according to its country of origin. It is heavy dense wood.
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Quality | Length |
| 26 x 75/100/125 mm | 3 sides clear | 0.90 - 5.50 m |
| 26 x 75/100/125 mm |
4 sides clear |
0.90 - 5.50 m |
Juglans nigra
Known also as American walnut.
Where it grows
Walnut grows throughout Eastern USA, but main region is the Central States.
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sapwood | creamy white |  |
| Heartwood |
light brown to dark brown |
|
| Grain | straight | |
| Height |
70-130 ft with diameter 2'-6' |
|
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Average weight at 12% M.C ( kg/m³) | 609 |
| Specific gravity at 12 % M.C. | 0,55 |
| Average Volumetric Shrinkage Green to 6 % M.C (%) | 10,2 |
| Crushing strength |
moderate |
| Bending strength | moderate |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Mpa) | 11,584 |
| Hardness (N) | 4492 |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
|
« Poor
Good »
| |
| Drying | |
| Machining | |
| Wood Bending | |
| Gluing | |
| Nailing | |
| Finishing | |
End Uses
Joinery, panelling, flooring, doors, cabinets, furniture and architectural interiors.
Remarks
Black walnut is a tough hard timber of medium density and it is one of the most durable woods even under conditions favourable to decay. It can be supplied steamed or unsteamed. Walnut is planted as well as naturally regenerated.
Prunus serotina
Known also as American black cherry.
Where it grows
Cherry grows throughout Eastern USA. Main areas are Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York States.
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sapwood | creamy white |  |
| Heartwood |
red to reddis brown, darkening on exposure |
|
| Grain | straight | |
| Height |
100 ft with diameter 2'-5' |
|
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Average weight at 12% M.C ( kg/m³) | 561 |
| Specific gravity at 12 % M.C. | 0,50 |
| Average Volumetric Shrinkage Green to 6 % M.C (%) | 9,2 |
| Crushing strength |
medium |
| Bending strength | medium |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Mpa) | 10,274 |
| Hardness (N) | 4226 |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
|
« Poor
Good »
| |
| Drying | |
| Machining | |
| Wood Bending | |
| Gluing | |
| Nailing | |
| Finishing | |
End Uses
Flooring, joinery and moulding, turning and carving, panelling, doors, cabinets and furniture.
Remarks
The heartwood is moderately resistant to treatment with preservatives. The wood has medium density and good bending properties.
Piptadenia africana = Piptadeniastrum africanum
Known also as dabema (Ivory Coast) mbele, guli (Sierra Leone), agboin, ekhimi (Nigeria), atui (Cameroon), toum (Gabon), tom (Equat. Guinea), n’singa(Congo, Angola) and mpewere (Uganda).
Where it grows
Dahoma grows widely in West, Central and parts of East Africa.
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sapwood | Clearly demarcated, light color | 
|
| Heartwood | light brown to yellow-brown | |
| Grain | slightly interlocked | |
| Height | 120 ft with diameter of about 3'-4' | |
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Green weight kg/m³ | 900-1100 |
| Specific gravity at 12 % M.C. (kg/m³) | 690 medium |
| Volumetric swelling for 1% M.C. variation V% | 0,54 medium |
| Crushing strength (N/mm²) C12 | 57 |
| Static bending strength (N/mm²) F12 | 137 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (N/mm²) E12 | 12300 |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
|
« Poor
Good »
|
|
| Sawing |
|
| Drying |
|
| Machining |
|
| Wood Bending |
|
| Gluing |
|
| Nailing |
|
| Finishing |
|
End Uses
Fairly heavy constructional work as alternative to structural grades of oak, house framing, flooring, marine work, mining timbers and sleepers.
Remarks
Medium or high strength, moderate or high durability and resistant to preservative treatment. Tough timber mostly for exterior use.
| Dimensions table - Tropical hardwood |
|---|
| IROKO KD 25 - 50 - 75 mm x 150 mm & wider |
| NIANGON KD 38 - 50 -150 mm x 150 mm & wider |
| ABURA KD 38 - 50 - 150 mm x 150 mm & wider |
| ABURA KD 38 - 50 - 75 mm x 150 mm & wider |
| SAPELI KD 50 - 75 mm x 150 mm & wider |
| DAHOMA KD 50 - 75 mm x 150 mm & wider |
| OKOUME KD 50 - 75 mm x 150 mm & wider |
| RED IPOKO / BADI FLOORING 21 x 120 - 145 mm |
| ΜΕRANTI KD SAWN TIMBER 2" x 6" & wider 7' & longer 3" x 6" & wider 7' & longer |
| GLULAM 72 x 86 mm |
| White Oak FAS KD North Appalachian region | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
6' |
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
1" x 5" |
only |
8' & longer |
|
1" x 5,5" |
only |
8' & longer |
|
1" x 6" |
only |
8' & longer |
|
1" x 7" |
only |
8' & longer |
|
1,5" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
6' |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
3" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider, RIFT SAWN |
8' & longer |
|
1" x 6" |
and wider, RIFT SAWN |
8' & longer |
| Tulipwood (Poplar) FAS KD | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
1,25" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
1,5" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2,5" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
3" x 7" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
| Cherry FAS KD | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
6' |
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
| Cherry FAS KD | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
3" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
| Red Oak FAS KD | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
6' |
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2,5" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
3" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
| Hard Maple FAS KD | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
3" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
| Soft Maple FAS KD | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
2" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
|
3" x 6" |
and wider |
8' & longer |
