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Afzelia
Afzelia, apa or doussie, occurs in tropical Africa, from Sierra Leone in the west and the Sudan in the east, down to Rhodesia and Mozambique in the south. Trees in the high forest may be 30m high, yielding logs 1m or more in diameter.A distinctive wood, afzelia has a rich, mahogany-red colour and a rather coarse texture. The grain, straight in the best timber, is sometimes irregular. Yellow or white deposits or flecks are often a feature and these may cause staining of the wood in damp conditions. It is a dense wood, some 10 to 15 per cent heavier than oak. Afzelia combines high strength with outstanding durability and stability. It is slow to dry, but shrinks very little; once dry, it is superior even to teak in stability. Generally stronger than oak and rather more difficult to work, it can blunt tools if chalky deposits are present. It is extremely resistant to fungal attack, and has some natural resistance to termites. A high-class wood, it is used in joinery where a distinguished appearance combined with ease of maintenance is required, e.g. for window frames, doors and door surrounds in prestige buildings. It is used for bench and counter tops, and makes an excellent flooring for domestic and public buildings. Afzelia is noted for its acid resistance and is used in chemical works for vats and presses. Extract from 'The International book of WOOD' curtesy Michael Beazley Publishers Limited 1979. |
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