Niove

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION : The tree reaches a height of 23 to 32 m. The bole is cylindrical, straight and clear to 20 m in length, sometimes with a swollen base. The trunk diameter attains 100 cm.
NATURAL HABITAT :Staudtia kamerunensis occurs in mixed forests, in large stands, as well as in secondary forests.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION : West Africa in Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

COLOR INDEX (1=BLACK,7=LIGHT YELLOW,WHITE) 4

ODOR: Light and pleasant odor.
COLOR: The sapwood is pale yellow to orange yellow, it has a thickness of 8 cm. The heartwood is yellow brown to reddish brown, with darker streaks, it is clearly demarcated. The silver figure is medium.
GRAIN: Straight; grain has no particular influence on drying, machining and finishing qualities.
TEXTURE: This species is usually reported to have a fine texture.
LUSTER: This wood is commonly of moderate luster.
NATURAL DURABILITY: Very durable to decay; without preservative treatment. This species is especially suited for all the uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification. Resistant to termites attack. Heartwood is resistant to Lyctus attacks. NATURAL DURABILITY INDEX (1= VERY HIGH DURABILITY,7=VERY LOW DURABILITY)1
INTERNAL GROWTH STRESSES: No residual stresses are reported in this species.
SILICA CONTENT : Negligible contents of silica are found in timber of this species. Amounts over 0.050/s may affect the wood processing. Silica Value: 0.01
RESISTANCE TO IMPREGNATION: Nearly impossible to treat with a too much low penetration of the preservative substances.

BASIC DENSITY OR SPECIFIC GRAVITY (O.D. WEIGHT/VOL. GREEN) (G/CM°) 0.78 AIR-DRY DENSITY (WEIGHT AND VOLUME AT 120/oM ) (G/CM°)0.89
TOTAL SHRINKAGE TANGENTIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)6.2 TOTAL SHRINKAGE RADIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)5.1
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-11 DIMENSIONAL STABILITY RATIO (TOTAL TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o/TOTAL RADIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o)1.2

SAWING : Sawing of this species requires powerful equipment.
ROTARY VENEER CUTTING : Suitable for slicing. SLICED VENEER : Suitable for slicing.
BLUNTING EFFECT : Moderate blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are advised.
MACHINING : It needs powerful tools for processing. Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
PLANING : Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
MOULDING : Rather difficult; special tools are needed. TURNING : 30
BORING : Rather difficult; special tools are needed. MORTISING : Rather difficult; special tools are needed. NAILING : Pre-boring is necessary.
GLUING : Difficult to glue because of high density. SANDING : Easy to perform; it gives good results. POLISHING : Can be polished without surface preparation.
RESPONSE TO HAND TOOLS : Working with hand tools is difficult.