Assas (Bridelia micrantha)
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common names: Adhumo, Aga-ofia, Aga-oji, Akati, An-ta, Aparyisie, Arasha, Asas, Asha, Asha gidi, Assas, Ata, Ataba, Awodze, Badi, Bempe pembe, Chemaguldet, Chikue, Chiukue, Dafin sagba, Ekuane, Epakotrubo, Essat, Essenge, Funiyomba, Ida-odan, Ira, K-ata, Kataza, Katazamiti, Katazarniti, Kensange, Kuwi, M'zerie, Mible, Mitserie, Mitzeerie, Mojenge, Msopa, Mukanganya, Mukoigo, Mukuegwe, Mureru, Ndegbeme-welui, Ndewei-guli, Ngorouet, Obadi, Obari, Ogangan, Ogangan neran, Ogangan nugu, Ogaofia, Ola ozalu, Omutarakaranga, Opam, Ota, Sabua, Sagba, Shikanganya, Tchikue, Tulinyi, Umhlambamakwaba, Wallinjang, Warrinjung, Yeki-le
Distributed in: Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, South Africa (Africa)
Distribution overview: Found in forests by rivers, forest edges or open woodlands, savannahs and secondary forests, riverine woodlands, and gallery forests. It is adaptable to a variety of climates. The tree prefers sites along rivers and at forest edges at altitudes under 2500 m (FAO 1986). B. micrantha is found in Tanzania in Mbeya, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, and Iringa.
Common uses: Balusters, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Charcoal, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative
Product sources: The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced occasionally. The material is being promoted on the export market.
Environment profile: Status has not been officially assessed
Tree size: Tree height is 10-20 m
Colors: the heart isWhite, Yellow to golden-yellow to orangeand the sapwoodWhite, White to yellow.The grain isWavy, the textureVery fineand the lusterLustrous
Natural durability: Susceptible to insect attack, Very durable
Drying Defects: Moderate surface checking, Moderate twist/warp
Ease of Drying: Rapidly
Tree Identification: Bole/stem form is misshapen
Cutting Resistance: Easy to saw
Gluing: Yields strong joints
Nailing: Good nailing properties, Holds nails well
Planing: Planes well, to a good finish
Response to hand tools: Easy to Work
Veneering qualities: Suitable for peeling, There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Screwing: Good screwing properties, Holds screws well;
Polishing: Good;
- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
 |
 |
 |
 |
Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
Specific Gravity |
|
|
|
Density |
|
641 |
kg/m3 |
Bending Strength |
621 |
968 |
kg/cm2 |
Crushing Strength |
275 |
449 |
kg/cm2 |
Hardness |
|
451 |
kg |
Impact Strength |
|
|
cm |
Shearing Strength |
|
85 |
kg/cm2 |
Stiffness |
108 |
125 |
1000 kg/cm2 |
Tangential Shrinkage |
|
|
% |
Radial Shrinkage |
2 |
|
% |
Weight |
624 |
496 |
kg/m3 |
Maximum Load |
|
|
cm-kg/cm3 |
Toughness |
|
|
cm-kg |
Static Bending |
|
|
kg/cm2 |
|
 |  |  |  | Item | Green | Dry | English | Bending Strength | 8837 | 13774 | psi | Density | | 40 | lbs/ft3 | Hardness | | 995 | lbs | Maximum Crushing Strength | 3916 | 6397 | psi | Shearing Strength | | 1215 | psi | Stiffness | 1543 | 1781 | 1000 psi | Weight | 39 | 31 | lbs/ft3 | Radial Shrinkage | 2 | | % | Tangential Shrinkage | 6 | | % | |
Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building ResearchDale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards LondonDalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the ColoniesEggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe UgandaFrance - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. FranceKeay, R.W.J.1989. Trees of Nigeria.Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford.Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, IbadanKryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South AfricaPardy, A.A.,1955,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S.Rhodesia - Bridelia micrantha,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S.Rhodesia Bulletin No.1840Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.TScott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3Tack, C.H.,1958,The Strength Properties of some Uganda Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Bulletin No. 5Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1
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