Tetraberlinia spp.
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Tetraberlinia spp.
Description
The sapwood is much lighter than the heartwood, pinkish when fresh, reddish-brown when dried, and sometimes veined. The texture is medium, the grain is straight, and the density varies between 0.48 and 0.75. The mechanical strength is good and the durability is medium.
Plant morphology
They are large trees, reaching over 60 m in height, with a columnar trunk ribbed at the base and a maximum diameter of 1.20 m. The leaves are compound, with numerous ovate-lanceolate leaflets with entire margins. The flowers are borne in racemes at the leaf axils, creamy white in color, with stamens extending beyond the corolla.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Tropical West Africa: Niger, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Liberia.
Habitat and ecology
Rainforests from the plain up to 900 m above sea level.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for ordinary carpentry, light carpentry, furniture, plywood.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Deforestation.
Conservation measures
T. tubmaniana is also found in several protected areas.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
Tetraberlinia bifoliolata LC - Least Concern (2018); T. tubmaniana VU - Vulnerable (1998).
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
620
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
41
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
78
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
90
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
13760
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Moderatamente durabile
Insect resistance
Not resistant
Miscellaneous
From a commercial standpoint, the species of interest are Tetraberlinia bifoliata Hauman and T. tubmauniana J.Leon. Given the small size of the remaining stands, it is best to avoid using this wood.