TRADE NAME

DOUSSIE

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Afzelia africana Smith
  • Afzelia bella Harms
  • Afzelia bipendensis Harms
  • Afzelia pachyloba Harms – A. cuanzensis Welw.

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa
(Afrique de l’Est : A. Cuanzensis)

Sierra Leone : KPENDEI
Guinea Bissau : PAUCONTA
Senegal : LINGUE
Ivory Coast : LINGUE, AZODAU
Ghana : PAPAO
Nigeria : APA, ALIGNA
Cameroon : M’BANGA, DOUSSIE
Congo, Angola : N’KOKONGO
Zaire : BOLENGU
Angola : UVALA
Mozambique : MUSSACOSSA, CHANFUTA (A. Cuanzensis exclusively)
Tanzania : MKORA, MBEMBAKOFI
W. Germany : AFZELIA
U.S.A .: AFZELIA
Portugal : CHANFUTA

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, whitish to pale yellow – 2 to 5 cm.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Reddish brown
  • Grain : Straight to slightly/occasionally interlocked
  • Texture : Medium
  • Silver figure : –
  • Yellow or white deposits in splits.

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1100 – 1200
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 750
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (small) 0.44
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 4.6
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.1
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 74*
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 173*
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 13700*
    * A. cuanzensis : MV12 = 850 ; C12 = 63 ; F12 = 153 ; E12 = 11300

 

 

END USE

  • Exterior joinery, high-class interior and exterior fittings
  • Normal and heavy duty flooring
  • Boat building (decking)
  • Chemical-resistant tanks
  • House framing – stairs
  • Heavy construction
  • Furniture
  • Shingles

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Contains a yellow-dye stuff that may stain moist fabrics. Not recommended for kitchen fittings for example.
    – Somewhat similar to MERBAU (Intsia bijuga, I. palembanica, I amboinensis).