GHEOMBI (Sindoropsis le-testui)
Trade Name
Gheombi
Scientific Name
Sindoropsis le-testui J.Leon.
Family
LEGUMINOSAE
Common Names
Gheombi (Gabon); Gheombi
Scientific Name Synonyms
Detarium le-testui Pellegr.
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
The tree reaches a height of 16 to 25 m. The bole is cylindrical, straight and usually unbuttressed or with low buttresses. The trunk diameter attains 70 to 100 cm.
Natural Habitat
Sindoropsis le-testui is found in dense, montane forests as a dominant tree. Occasionally found in small groups in sedimentary basins.
Natural Distribution
Endemic in Gabon.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Occasionally vessels exclusively solitary (over 90%). Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Vestured pits. Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Simple perforation plates. Vessel-ray pits similar to intervessel pits Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma lozenge-aliform. Prismatic crystals in chambered axial parenchyma cells and/or in fibers. 3 to 4 cells per parenchyma strand 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Rays non-storied. Rays 1 to 4 seriate. Body ray cells procumbent with mostly 2 to 4 rows of upright and/or square marginal cells (Kribs-II). Non-septate fibers. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
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Wood Macro Photo Tangential Plane
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Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Color
The sapwood is pinkish white to grayish, it has a thickness of 8 to 10 cm. The heartwood is pink brown with a copper tinge ; darkening on exposure, it is clearly demarcated. The silver figure is fine.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
4
Grain
Straight or slightly interlocked, sometimes with an influence on further processing operations.
Texture
The wood is mostly medium in texture.
Luster
It is reported to be low in luster.
Natural Durability
Moderately durable to decay. Without preservative treatment, this species can be used only under risk of occasional re-humidification. It is not suited for uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification. Moderately resistant to termites attack
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
3
Internal Growth Stresses
No growth stresses are reported in this species.
Silica Content
Silica Content: Negligible content of silica is reported. Amounts over 0.05% may affect wood processing. Silica Value: 0.05
Resistance To Impregnation
Moderately easy to treat with a partial penetration of the preservative products.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.65
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.72
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
6.8
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
3.6
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying: Drying is moderately easy; some particular care is needed. Drying Defects: Risks of distortions. Kiln Schedules: The kiln schedule has been tested.
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
FR-9
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
1.9
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
1169
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
190029
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
620
Compression perpendicular to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
83
Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
98
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
651
Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)
743
Workability
Sawing
It is moderately easy to saw.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
Suitable for peeling if treated.
Sliced Veneer
Suitable for peeling if treated.
Blunting Effect
Moderate blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are advised.
Machining
Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
Planing
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Moulding
Rather difficult; special tools are needed.
Boring
Rather difficult; special tools are needed.
Mortising
Rather difficult; special tools are needed.
Nailing
Pre-boring is necessary.
Gluing
Glues well if basic gluing technical rules are followed.
Sanding
Easy to perform; it gives good results.
Polishing
Can be polished without surface preparation.
Response To Hand Tools
No particular problems.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, boards, flooring, parquet, frames, steps, panelling, fittings, shutter boards, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, common furniture, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, faces, cores, PACKING, heavy packing, pallets
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Beams
- 11 - Prospect: The wood database
Joists
- 12 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part I-Tropical American Species
Boards
- 13 - Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods. Temperate and tropical. Section III. Latin American (Mexico, Central, and South America) Woods–Conventional Temperatures
Flooring
- 14 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Parquet
- 15 - Empire Timbers
Frames
- 16 - Woods of the World
Steps
- 17 - Tree Conservation Database
Paneling
- 18 - W3TROPICOS Missouri Botanical Garden
Fittings
- 19 - Silica in Timbers
Shutter Boards
- 20 - Prospect: The wood database
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Furniture, Common
- 23 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Panels, Veneers
- 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Faces
- 26 - Annual Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation 1998-ITTO
Cores
- 27 - Embassy of Brazil in Japan
Packing
- 45 - Recopilación y Análisis de Estudios Tecnológicos de Maderas Peruanas
Heavy Packing
- 47 - Arvores Brasileiras
Pallets
- 48 - The strength properties of timbers
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