Dibétou’s heartwood

Description

Dibétou’s heartwood is yellow-brown to dark brown usually with a golden coloured sheen, sometimes with dark streaks or veined (called tigerwood). The sapwood is grey-white to light beige, with a maximum thickness of 70 mm, but an average of 50 mm.

Properties of this timber species

General

• Botanical name: 1. Lovoa trichilioides 2. The East African species are derived from Lovoa swynnertonii and Lovoa Brownii
• ATIBT name: Dibétou
• Other names: Bibolo

 Uses

• Thanks to its walnut appearance, Dibétou is used for decorative veneer and veneered furniture components and panelling
• Solid wood is used for framework, mosaics and sculpturing

 Durability

• Resistance to fungi: class 3-4 (moderately – poorly durable)
• Resistance to insects: Termites class G (sapwood susceptible to damage)

 Density

• 1. (480)-550-(650) kg/m³ at 12% moisture content
• Fresh 750-850 kg/m³
• 2. 600-700 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content
• Fresh 850-950 kg/m³