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GHEOMBI (Sindoropsis le-testui)

Trade Name

Gheombi

Scientific Name

Sindoropsis le-testui J.Leon.

Family

LEGUMINOSAE

Common Names

Gheombi (Gabon); Gheombi

Scientific Name Synonyms

Detarium le-testui Pellegr.

Description Of The Tree

Botanical Description

The tree reaches a height of 16 to 25 m. The bole is cylindrical, straight and usually unbuttressed or with low buttresses. The trunk diameter attains 70 to 100 cm.

Natural Habitat

Sindoropsis le-testui is found in dense, montane forests as a dominant tree. Occasionally found in small groups in sedimentary basins.

Natural Distribution

Endemic in Gabon.

Wood Identification

Anatomic Description Of Wood

Wood diffuse porous. Occasionally vessels exclusively solitary (over 90%). Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Vestured pits. Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Simple perforation plates. Vessel-ray pits similar to intervessel pits Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma lozenge-aliform. Prismatic crystals in chambered axial parenchyma cells and/or in fibers. 3 to 4 cells per parenchyma strand 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Rays non-storied. Rays 1 to 4 seriate. Body ray cells procumbent with mostly 2 to 4 rows of upright and/or square marginal cells (Kribs-II). Non-septate fibers. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.

  • Wood Macro Photo Tangential Plane
  • Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section

Availability

Cites Status

Unrestricted

General Wood Description

Color

The sapwood is pinkish white to grayish, it has a thickness of 8 to 10 cm. The heartwood is pink brown with a copper tinge ; darkening on exposure, it is clearly demarcated. The silver figure is fine.

COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)

4

Grain

Straight or slightly interlocked, sometimes with an influence on further processing operations.

Texture

The wood is mostly medium in texture.

Luster

It is reported to be low in luster.

Natural Durability

Moderately durable to decay. Without preservative treatment, this species can be used only under risk of occasional re-humidification. It is not suited for uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification. Moderately resistant to termites attack

Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)

3

Internal Growth Stresses

No growth stresses are reported in this species.

Silica Content

Silica Content: Negligible content of silica is reported. Amounts over 0.05% may affect wood processing. Silica Value: 0.05

Resistance To Impregnation

Moderately easy to treat with a partial penetration of the preservative products.

Wood Physical Properties

Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)

0.65

Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)

0.72

Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

6.8

Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

3.6

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying: Drying is moderately easy; some particular care is needed. Drying Defects: Risks of distortions. Kiln Schedules: The kiln schedule has been tested.

Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule

FR-9

Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)

1.9

Wood Chemical Properties

Wood Mechanical Properties

Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)

1169

Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

190029

Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

620

Compression perpendicular to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

83

Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

98

Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)

651

Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)

743

Workability

Sawing

It is moderately easy to saw.

Rotary Veneer Cutting

Suitable for peeling if treated.

Sliced Veneer

Suitable for peeling if treated.

Blunting Effect

Moderate blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are advised.

Machining

Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.

Planing

Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.

Moulding

Rather difficult; special tools are needed.

Boring

Rather difficult; special tools are needed.

Mortising

Rather difficult; special tools are needed.

Nailing

Pre-boring is necessary.

Gluing

Glues well if basic gluing technical rules are followed.

Sanding

Easy to perform; it gives good results.

Polishing

Can be polished without surface preparation.

Response To Hand Tools

No particular problems.

REFERENCED USES

End Uses Summary

HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, boards, flooring, parquet, frames, steps, panelling, fittings, shutter boards, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, common furniture, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, faces, cores, PACKING, heavy packing, pallets

General Housing
  • 10 - Silica in Timbers
Beams
  • 11 - Prospect: The wood database
Joists
  • 12 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part I-Tropical American Species
Boards
  • 13 - Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods. Temperate and tropical. Section III. Latin American (Mexico, Central, and South America) Woods–Conventional Temperatures
Flooring
  • 14 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Parquet
  • 15 - Empire Timbers
Frames
  • 16 - Woods of the World
Steps
  • 17 - Tree Conservation Database
Paneling
  • 18 - W3TROPICOS Missouri Botanical Garden
Fittings
  • 19 - Silica in Timbers
Shutter Boards
  • 20 - Prospect: The wood database
Furniture Cabinets
  • 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Furniture, Common
  • 23 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Panels, Veneers
  • 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Faces
  • 26 - Annual Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation 1998-ITTO
Cores
  • 27 - Embassy of Brazil in Japan
Packing
  • 45 - Recopilación y Análisis de Estudios Tecnológicos de Maderas Peruanas
Heavy Packing
  • 47 - Arvores Brasileiras
Pallets
  • 48 - The strength properties of timbers

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