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Tonso
Ochna calodendron Gilg et Mildbraed
OCHNACEAE
Mbane noir (Congo); Tobolassongué (Central African Republic); Tonso (Cameroon); Mulébengoye (Cameroon); Tonso
The base of the tree is almost cylindrical. The bole is slightly twisted and may be up to 20 m in length, with diameters of 70 cm.
Ochna calodendron mainly occurs in semi-deciduous forests.
West and Central Africa, in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic.
Vessels exclusively solitary (over 90%). Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100 micras or less (very small). Vessels per mm2 more than 20 (very abundant). Vascular/vasicentric tracheides present. Axial parenchyma absent or extremely rare, non visible with magnifying glass (8x). Apotracheal axial parenchyma diffuse and/or diffuse in aggregates. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Rays as wide or wider than the pores. Rays of two distinct sizes. Larger rays more than 4 seriate. Silica bodies in the ray cells. Prismatic crystals in the ray cells. Heterogeneous rays and/or multiseriate heterogeneous rays.
Unrestricted
The sapwood is yellowish. The heartwood is pinkish brown to reddish brown, it is clearly demarcated.
Straight or slightly interlocked; grain has no particular influence on drying, machining and finishing qualities.
This wood has a somewhat fine texture.
0.83
0.96
Ease of Drying: Shrinkage during air drying is high to very high. Drying Defects: The wood stains readily and develops deep splits in the log when drying, but this problem does not occur when sawn fresh and stacked carefully.
1361
177316
798
116
120
1160
1177
Sawing of this species requires powerful equipment.
Not suitable for veneering.
Not suitable for veneering.
Moderate blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are advised.
It needs powerful tools for processing. Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Rather difficult; special tools are needed.
30
Rather difficult; special tools are needed.
Rather difficult; special tools are needed.
Pre-boring is necessary.
Difficult to glue because of high density.
Easy to perform; it gives good results.
Can be polished without surface preparation.
Working with hand tools is difficult.
HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, flooring, parquet, frames, steps, TURNING, ornaments, PACKING, heavy packing
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