TRADE NAME

OKOUME

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Aucoumea klaineana Pierre

 

FAMILY

Burseraceae

 


 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Central Africa

Equat. Guinea : OKUME, N’GOUMI
Gabon : OKOUME, ANGOUMA
Congo : N’KUMI
Great Britain : GABOON (OKAKA/AZOUGA = deep splines on logs)

Pr. = REGUL., IMP. Ex. = VEDRY IMP.

 


 

SAPWOOD

Demarcated, freyish white, narrow.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Salmon-pink to dark-pink, darkening on exposure
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked to frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Fine (barely visible)

 


 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 550 – 650
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (light) 440
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (small) 0.33
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 7.5
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.8
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 36
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 87
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 7800

 


 

END USE

  • Plywood
  • Furniture components
  • Mouldings
  • Boxes and crates
  • Interior joinery
  • Blackboards
  • Pleasure boats

 


 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Moderate
  • Other remarks :
    – Frequent defects : wooly heartwood OZOUGA.
    – Aspect and color differing with provenances (Equatorial Guinea : lighter).