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| Opepe (Nauclea diderrichii) Also Known as Badi. Bilinga & Kussia |
Description: Opepe grows widely in West Africa
a and
is a very large tree reaching some 50 metres in height with a clean straight cylindrical bole of 25 to 30 metres above a small buttress, diameters of over 1 metre are quite common. The sapwood is whitish to pale yellow or reddish but the heartwood is a rich golden yellow, which darkens on exposure to a deep gold or orange. The texture is course and the grain frequently interlocked, producing a striped figure. It is lustrous, very hard and moderately heavy.
It is an exceptionally strong timber, very durable and very resistant to decay and good resistance to marine borers. Opepe is particularly suitable for exterior heavy construction purposes such as horbour work, piles and jetty decking. It is a good flooring timber and is used for both exterior and interior joinery. |
Nett weight (kg/m3)-900-1150
Durability - Very resistant to decay and marine borers. Class 1 very durable.
Working Qualities - works quite well and in spite of its hardness it does not have a serious dulling effect on tools and can be worked to an excellent finish.
Nailing and screwing - has a tendency to split, requires pre boring.
Treatment - Like Ekki it is a difficult timber to impregnate with liquids. Not regarded as a timber that requires treatment.
Strength - suitable for grading to HS- Strength Class D50.Certification - can be supplied with Keurhout Certification |
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