TRADE NAME

BOSSE

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Light Bosse
    • Guarea cedrate Pellegr.
    • Guarea laurentii De Wild.
  • Dark Bosse
    • Guarea thompsonii Sprague

 

FAMILY

Meliaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

G. Cedrata
Ivory Coast : BOSSE
Ghana : KWABOHORO
Nigeria : OBOBO NOFUA
Kenya : –
Zaire : BOSASA
W. Germany : BOSSE
Great Britain : SCENTED GUAREA

G. Thompsonii
Ivory Coast : MUTIGBANAYE
Ghana : –
Nigeria : OBOBO NEKWI
Kenya : BOLON
Zaire : DIAMPI
W. Germany : DIAMPI
Great-Britain : BLACK GUAREA

Nota : G. cedrata is lighter (LIGHT BOSSE) than G. thompsonii (DARK BOSSE)

Pf. = IMP. Ex. = REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Distinguishable – pale colour – thick : 5 – 10 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Pinkish brown (G. c.) to orange barown (G. th.)
  • Grain : Straight to slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Fine medium
  • Silver figure : Fine (barely visible)
  • G. thompsonii tends to be straighter in grain than G. cedrata.

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = G. cedrata 850 – 950
    G. thompsonii 950 – 1000
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 =
    G. cedrata (medium) 600
    G. thompsonii (medium) 650
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V%
    G. cedrata (small) 0.42
    G. thompsonii (small) 0.49
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 7.1
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.5
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 50
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 140
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 10700

 

 

END USE

  • Plywood
  • High-class joinery and interior fittings
  • Furniture
  • Decorative sliced veneers
  • Turnery
  • Exterior joinery
  • Boat building

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate to durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – G. cedrata has a pleasant cedar scent that tends to disppear in time. No odour with G. thompsonii.
    – An alternative to CEDRO (cedrela odorata) for cigar boxes.
    – A substitute for SIPO for exterior joinery (windows).