Texture Browser

Botanical Name

Gilberiodendron dewevrei J. Leonard., Macrolobium dewevrei De Wild. (Fam. Leguminosae Caesalpinioideae)

Trade Names

Limbali, Ditshipi, Balu, Kombulu, Ligudu

Substitution

Indigenous to

West Africa: from Nigeria to Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo to Zaire and Central African Republic

Characteristics

Black Olive is in principle the same wood like White Afara. The only difference is the heartwood, which is black grey and the structure run irregular. The wood is different depending on growing area concerning color and structure, it is mild to medium-hard, light to medium-heavy. The color is yellowish, matt brownish, by older trunks often dark- or black brown, partly also striped, shining and constant with many hair checks. The growth zones of late summerwood are distinguishable by pallid-olive toned. Spiral grain and deviation of fibres frequently occur. Pores are coarse and scattered.