Table 2. — Physical and strength properties of three 1v est African species 
Species : 
Physical properties : 
Strength properties 
Specific : 
. gravity—: 
Volumetric: 
shrink- ; 
2 . 
age- | 
Compres-: 
sion : 
parallel! 
to grain : 
Bending: 
Tension : 
perpen- : 
dicular : 
to grain: 
Cleavage 
i 0.55 1 
\ .56 
Fercent : 
: 11.6 
: 12.3 
! 9.5 
Kg. /cm. : 
Kg. /cm. : 
Kg. /cm. 
:\~./cm. 
! 
Avodire 
Turraeanthus africana. 
: U10 
! uao 
: 270 
• 8U0 
: 800 
i 580 
: 21.0 
: 20.5 
: 12.0 
: 1U.0 
Limb a 
Terrainalia superba 
Obeche 
Trinlcchiton 
scleroxylon 
: 13.0 
: 6 ^ 
Based on weight and volume when air dry. 
2 
— Basea on £?reen volume. 
Durability 
Because avodire is subject to decay and insect attack, logs should be converted 
into lumber as soon as possible after felling, unless storage in fresh water is 
provided (7). The wood should not be used in damp situations and is not durable 
in contact with the ground or in exposed situations (16, 22). 
Seasoning 
Avodire is reported to season readily, but care is needed to avoid splitting and 
warping (16). From tests by Harrar (12), the percent of shrinkage of avodire 
is compared in table 3 to that of some of the cabinet woods with which it 
competes. 
Rept. No. R1905 
-6- 
