Abura

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  abura
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 item40
Drying item40
Machining item40
Wood Bending item40
Gluing item40
Nailing item40
Finishing item40

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.

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