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Mepepe
Albizia sassa (Willd.) J.F. Macbr.
LEGUMINOSAE
Bangbaye (Côte d`Ivoire); West African Albizia (United Kingdom); Mushebele (Zaire); Kasa-kasa (Zaire); Saliémo (Cameroon); Omulera (Uganda); Omulera (Tanzania); Omulera (Kenya); Omulera (Ethiopia); Mepepe (Mozambique); Muanza (Angola); Mepepe
Sassa gummifera J.F. Gmel.; Mimosa sassa (Baillon ex Drake) Poir.; Albizia gummifera (J.F. Gmel.) C.A. Sm.; Inga sassa Willd.; Albizia sassa (Willd.) Chiov.; Albizia fastigiata (E. Mey.) Oliv.
The tree may reach a height of 40 to 50 m with a trunk diameter of 100 cm. The bole is well shaped or asymmetrical with short buttresses.
Mostly trees of the primary forest are exploited, but it is also common in secondary forests. Found naturally at elevations up to 2,400 m.
Widely distributed throughout tropical Africa.
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 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. Homogeneous rays and/or sub-homogeneous rays (all ray cells procumbent). Septate fibers present. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
Unrestricted
The sapwood is white or white-yellow, it has a thickness of 5 cm. The heartwood is golden-yellow or light-brown, sometimes with a greenish tinge, it is clearly demarcated.
Straight or slightly interlocked, sometimes with an influence on further processing operations.
This wood has a somewhat medium texture.
Timber of this species is low in luster.
Not durable; important risks of decay attacks at any processing step, from logs up to final products. It must receive preservative treatment. Sensible to termites attack. Heartwood is sensible to Lyctus attacks.
5
No growth stresses are reported in this species.
Difficult to treat with only a low penetration of the preservative products.
0.53
0.58
FR-6
1017
114077
579
75
414
518
It is easy to saw.
Not suitable for veneering.
Not suitable for veneering.
Slight blunting effect; ordinary tools can be used for sawing and machining.
Machining of this species is reportedly easy.
Easy; no particular problems.
Easy; no particular problems.
30
Easy; no particular problems.
Easy; no particular problems.
No particular problem.
Glues well if basic gluing technical rules are followed.
Easy to perform; it gives good results.
Can be polished without surface preparation.
No particular problems.
HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, boards, flooring, steps, panelling, fittings, shutter boards, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, common furniture, cabinets, TURNING, ornaments, turned furniture, cutlery, lasts, PACKING, heavy packing, pallets, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, handicrafts, door core, coffin
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