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Atom
Dacryodes macrophylla H.J.Lam
BURSERACEAE
Atom (Gabon); Atom (Cameroon); Atom
The tree reaches a variable height, may reach 40 m. The bole is usually straight and cylindrical, often unbuttressed. The trunk diameter attains 70 to 170 cm.
Dacryodes macrophylla is found in rain forests.
West Africa.
Vessels per mm2 10 to 20 (abundant). Wood diffuse porous. Vessels solitary and in short radial multiples. Tyloses common. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 150 to 200 micras (medium). Vessel-ray pits larger than the intervessel pits. Vessel-ray pits coarse i Axial parenchyma absent or extremely rare, non visible with magnifying glass (8x). Occasionally siliceous bodies in the axial parenchyma. 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Rays commonly 2 seriate. Silica bodies in the ray cells. Homogeneous rays and/or sub-homogeneous rays (all ray cells procumbent). Septate fibers present. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
Unrestricted
The heartwood is beige, it is not demarcated.
It has highly interlocked grain.
Fine texture is reported in this species.
Luster is usually low.
Moderately durable to decay. Without preservative treatment, this species can be used when risks of occasional re-humidification, but it is not suited for uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification.
3
No residual growth stresses are found.
Silica Content: High contents of silica are found in timber of this species. Amounts over 0.05% may affect the wood processing. Silica Value: 2.64
0.57
0.63
7.3
5.3
Ease of Drying: Mersawa air dries very slowly with slight seasoning defects. Boards of 25 mm thick take 7.5 months to air dry. Drying Defects: Cupping and bowing are recorded. Kiln Schedules: Kiln drying is slow but without degrade, although the core of logs of old trees tends to retain a high moisture content.
1.4
897
142606
459
55
59
490
593
It is easy to saw.
Not suitable for veneering.
Not suitable for veneering.
Severe blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are recommended.
Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
No particular problem.
Glues well if basic gluing technical rules are followed.
Easy to perform; it gives good results.
Can be polished without surface preparation.
No particular problems.
HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, boards, flooring, frames, panelling, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, common furniture, PACKING, light packing, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, moldings
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