Wood Species: Bubinga

Scientific Name: Guibourtia Tessmannii/Demeusel

Trade Name: African Rosewood, Bubinga Wood

Family Name: Leguminosae

Common Names: African Rosewood, Akume, Binbiga, Bubinga, Buvenga, Ebana, Essingang, Kevazingo/a, Okweni, Ovang, Waka

Regions of Distribution: West and Central Africa

Countries of Distribution: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea

Appearance

Color: Sapwood Color - White, Heartwood Color - Medium Red-Brown to Red or Red to Reddish-Brown in color, with lighter red to purple veins. The wood can become yellow to medium brown with a reddish tint upon exposure.

GRAIN: The grain could be straight or interlocked. It logs with irregular grain and are rotary cut into veneers called Kevasingo.

Variations within species and grades: The species is a regular source for timber export according to The International Tropical Timber Organization. Some of the material within the species is cultivated from environmentally responsible or manageable sources. Bubinga is available in lumber form within the US market, and the volume of imported logs is very high. The logs can weigh as much as 10 tons. Some of the variations within the species and grades are Muiracataria (Astronium leicointei) and  Pao Rosa (Swartzia fistuloides).

Properties

Hardness/Janka: 65 lbs./Janka Rating: 1980

Dimensional stability: Bending Strength: 22293 psi, Max. Crushing Strength: 10010 psi, Stiffness: 1000-2290 psi, Specific Gravity: 0.88, Weight: 55-65 lbs/cu-ft., Density (Air Dry): 58 lbs/cu-ft., Radial Shrinkage (G->OD: 5%, Tangential Shrinkage (G->OD): 9%

Origin: West and Central Africa - Found mostly in Cameroon, Gabon, and the Ivory Coast. Sizeable numbers are also found growing The Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria.

Availability: Comes in a variety of sizes and is readily available. You can obtain boards that are 4 feet wide and more at special outlets.

Average and maximum lifespan: Generally have a moderate lifespan of less than 100 years. The wood is lustrous, and is used as a veneer for cabinetwork and in other wood related items.

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Works well with hand or power tools despite being hard and dense. Experts recommend reduced cutting angles for interlocked grain. A cutting angle of 15 degrees is suggested when planning, and to avoid unnecessary cutout.

Sanding: Hard and dense surface, but sanding works well with a little work due to its density and capabilities. One should, however, try and avoid the dust at it leads to skin irritations.

Nailing: Pre-drilling required for nailing.

Finishing: Turns, polishes, and finishes well. Results in a highly lustrous surface, and will require some effort due to its density.

Common Uses:  Boatbuilding, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Decor, Desks, Dining Room Furniture, Domestic Flooring, Dowell Pins, Dowells, Drawer Sides, Figured Veneer, Fine Furniture, Floor Lamps, Flooring Types, Furniture Components, Furniture Stock,  Furniture Design , Stairways, Stair Design, Tool Handles, Turnery, Concealed Furniture Parts, Handles, Hatracks, Interior Construction and Design, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Drawers, Lifeboats, Living Rooms, Office Furniture, Parquet Flooring, Radio Units, Stereo Units, TV Cabinets, Entertainment Centers, Rustic Furniture, Shafts, Shipbuilding, Stairway Rails, Stools, Stringers, Sub-flooring, Tables, Utility furniture, Veneer, Wardrobe Units


Detailed Description

Plant habit and life style: Bubinga trees normally grow near lakebeds, rivers, swamps, and forest areas that are frequently flooded. Some trees in this species can grow as high as 150 feet, with a diameter of up to 6 feet. At times, Bubinga trees will have buttresses, but are normally equipped with straight boles. They are also know to contain and exude gum, and are used for medicinal purposes as well.

Stems: Stems omit an undesirable odor when freshly cut or pulled. Due to the strong density of each stem, a full effort to extract them is required. It has low bend characteristics, stains easily, and is used for handcraft.

Buds: Irregular and wavy due to encasement within the wood.

Leaves: Range in color from yellow to green.

Flowers: Whitish in color and appearance. 

Fruits: Large Fruit Rosewood (Bubinga)

Habitat: Lakebeds, rivers, swamps, and forest areas with high moisture levels.

Special Diagnostic Characters:

Bubinga is termite resistant and can preserve it natural shape after cutting. The sapwood, however, may be susceptible to termite attack or preservation treatments. Logs where the grain is irregular are rotary cut into veneers via peeling.  This results in a wild, swirling, unique, and exotic appearance. The cuts are widely utilized and known the world over for its beauty and high end characteristics. The wood is primarily used a veneer for cabinetwork (Kevasingo), furniture, and for paneling. It is also used for knife handles and fancy good items.