Ayous

BOTANICAL NAMES

Triplochiton scleroxylon – Triplochiton johnsonii –

Triplochiton nigericurn – Samba scleroxylon

FAMILY

Member of the Sterculiaceae family

COMMERCIAL NAMES

Abachi – Germany
Ayous – France, U.S.A.
Obeche – England, Italy, Netherlands

NATIVE NAMES

Obeche – Nigeria
Ayous – Cameroon
Samba – Ivory Coast
Wawa – Ghana

SPECIES APPLICATIONS/ USES

PICTURE FRAMES – CONSTRUCTION – DIY – INTERIOR DOORS – FURNITURE – TOOLS – PANELS – VENEER – STRUCTURE – PACKAGING – SAUNAS – WOODEN STRUCTURAL WORK

RANGE

The tree is common in all forests of equatorial West Africa, more precisely in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Zaire, Cameroon and Nigeria.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Sapwood and heartwood are not well demarcated, although the sapwood alters faster than the heartwood. In general, the wood is yellowish white with a coarse texture. Ayous is a soft, very light, elastic and flexible wood, but is susceptible to wood-destroying pests. Therefore, after processing, appropriate treatments against the lyctus beetle, the most dangerous insect to all white tropical trees, are recommended.

DRYING

The kiln-drying process is quite easy, as the wood will not warp or split.

SPECIFIC WEIGHT

With a moisture content of 12%, the specific weight of Ayous ranges from 350 to 450 kg per cubic meter.

PRINCIPAL USES AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

Ayous can be easily worked using all tools available to the most modern wood manufacturers.