Possibly the most ideal inexpensive, readily available tropical hardwood suitable for exterior use. It is becoming more popular as an alternative to Teak when a cost saving is required, being 80% cheaper than Teak.

Chlorophora excelsa
Family: Moraceae

Comercial Names: Kambala and Odum

Distribution: West and East Africa

General Description: Golden-orange to brown, lighter vessel lines conspicuous on flat sawn surfaces. The material may contain large, hard deposits of calcium carbonate in cavities and the wood around them may be darker in colour. The grain is interlocked and sometimes irregular and the texture rather coarse, but even. The weight is 640kg/m3 (40lb/ft3); specific gravity .64.

Mechanical Properties: This medium density wood has a moderate steam bending classification with medium bending and crushing strength, very low stiffness and resistance to shock loads.

Working Properties: The material works satisfactory with hand and machine tools.. A reduction of cutting angle to 15° is necessary for a smooth finish in planing quarter sawn surfaces due to interlocked grain. The wood nails and screws well, glues satisfactory and when the grain is filled, an excellent finish can be obtained.

Durability: The sapwood is liable to attack by powder post beetle, but is highly resistant to termites in Africa. The heartwood is very durable and is extremely resistant to preservative treatment. The sapwood is permeable.

Uses: Ship and boat building, interior and exterior joinery, laboratory benches, furniture making and carving. It is a structural timber suitable for piling and marine work and for domestic flooring. Also for plywood manufacture and sliced for wall panelling, flush doors and decorative veneering.