Essang (Parkia bicolor)
Family: Leguminosae
Common names: Anandwe, Asoma, Assama, Assima, Boe, Boh, Dawa-dua, Dego, Dogo, Essang, Esuane, Etediuku, Gumni, Gumui, Gworluu, Igba odo, Igbado, Ka-kulbei, Kakpaja, Kua-ne, Kulenere, Kwa-ne, La pata fouanga, Lo, Lo-hondo, Locust bean, Locust-beam, Locust-bean, Mukualukoya, Ogirili okpi, Osho, Osonkoran, Parkia, Singa, Ugbore, Ugboro, Woaglu
Distributed in: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zaire (Africa)
Distribution overview: The species is distributed in West and Central Africa, and occurs from Guinea to Angola.
Common uses: Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hardboards, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Stools, Tables , Trimming, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wainscotting
Environment profile: Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
This species is secure within its natural habitat in most areas in its range, including Cameroon and Liberia. Its status in the wild is listed as unknown due to insufficient information in Angola, Benin, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zaire
Tree size: Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Trunk diameter is reported to range from 24 to 60 inches (60 to 150 cm) at maturity.
Colors: the heart isPale yellow, Reddish brownand the sapwoodWell defined, White to yellow.The grain isWavy, the textureMediumand the lusterLustrous
Natural durability: Susceptible to marine borer attack, The wood is susceptible to attack by pinhole borers
Odor:
Freshly-Milled wood has an unpleasant odor
LightInduced Color Change: None
Kiln Schedules: Drying (speed) is fast
Drying Defects: Distortion (twist/warp) is likely
Ease of Drying: Dries rapidly
Tree Identification: Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Comments: General finishing qualities are rated as good The bark of the tree is reported to contain tannin The macerated bark and leaves are used for medicinal purposes, and the fruit and seeds are high in oil content, and are edible
Blunting Effect:
The timber is very light and soft, with very little or no blunting effect on cutting edges
Boring: Fair results
Carving: Fair carving qualities
Cutting Resistance: Moderate sawing properties
Gluing: Easy to glue
The material responds especially well to casein and resin-based adhesives
Mortising: Responds satisfactorily to mortising operations
Moulding: Moulding operations are satisfactory
Movement in Service: Moulding operations are satisfactory
Nailing: Easy to nail
The wood can be nailed very easily. No pre-boring is required.
Planing: Planes well, to a good finish
Resistance to Impregnation: Sapwood is permeable
Response to hand tools: Responds very well to hand tools
Routing recessing:
Routing characteristics are rated as fair
Sanding: Yields a smooth surface
Turning: Satisfactory turning properties
Polishing: Rather difficult to polish ; Varnishing: Gluing is often difficult
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- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
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Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
Specific Gravity |
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|
|
Density |
|
448 |
kg/m3 |
Bending Strength |
532 |
825 |
kg/cm2 |
Crushing Strength |
201 |
360 |
kg/cm2 |
Hardness |
|
298 |
kg |
Impact Strength |
|
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cm |
Shearing Strength |
|
78 |
kg/cm2 |
Stiffness |
77 |
89 |
1000 kg/cm2 |
Tangential Shrinkage |
7 |
|
% |
Radial Shrinkage |
3 |
|
% |
Weight |
432 |
384 |
kg/m3 |
Maximum Load |
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cm-kg/cm3 |
Toughness |
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cm-kg |
Static Bending |
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kg/cm2 |
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| | | | Item | Green | Dry | English | Bending Strength | 7576 | 11744 | psi | Density | | 28 | lbs/ft3 | Hardness | | 657 | lbs | Maximum Crushing Strength | 2869 | 5131 | psi | Shearing Strength | | 1110 | psi | Stiffness | 1106 | 1280 | 1000 psi | Weight | 27 | 24 | lbs/ft3 | Radial Shrinkage | 3 | | % | Tangential Shrinkage | 7 | | % | Volumetric Shrinkage | 10 | | % | |
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low
It is weak in compression parallel to grain (maximum crushing strength), and is inferior to Mahogany.
Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building ResearchCooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la CamerounIrvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. LondonKeay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, IbadanKennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer LagosKryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5Meniaud, J., Bretonnet, F.,1926,Les Bois Coloniaux d'Afrique dans l'Industrie,Publ. de l'Agence Gen. des ColoniesSallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra LeoneTakahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and SonsVoorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen
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