Gilbertiodendron dewevrei
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (De Wild.) J. Léonard
Description
It has a thin yellowish or yellowish sapwood, clearly differentiated from the reddish-brown heartwood, the latter often variegated with darker streaks. The texture is coarse, the grain varies, and the density varies greatly, ranging from 0.45 to 0.90. Mechanical strength is modest, but durability is good.
Plant morphology
A tree up to 50 m tall, with an erect, columnar trunk, up to 2 m in diameter, thickening at the base. The bark is smooth and gray-brown. The leaves are compound, paripinnate, and stipulate with opposite leaflets. The flowers are pentamerous, hermaphroditic, and zygomorphically symmetrical. The fruit is a large, woody legume.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Tropical West Africa: Uganda, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Gabon, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria.
Habitat and ecology
It grows below 1,000 m above sea level, in humid forests, often in marshy areas and on sandy soils. A gregarious species, it can dominate some forest areas, sometimes in almost pure formations.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used in carpentry, heavy structures, hydraulic locks, poles, railway sleepers, flooring, window and door frames, shipbuilding, garden furniture, and turning, but is not suitable for cabinetmaking. Its sawdust has a pungent odor.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Not reported.
Conservation measures
The species is included in an ex situ collection (BGCI 2019). It also occurs in some protected areas in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2019
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2019
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Coarse
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
810
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
47
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
91
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
137
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
18010
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Durable
Insect resistance
Resistant