Get To Know Dabema Wood

1. Basic Overview

Common Names: Dabema, Dahoma, African greenheart (not related to South American greenheart)

Scientific Name: Piptadeniastrum africanum (syn. Piptadenia africana)

Distribution: Thrives in the rainforests of West, Central, and East Africa, from Senegal to Angola and Uganda .

Tree Size: Impressive specimens reach 100–165 ft (30–50 m) tall with trunk diameters of 3–6 ft (1–1.8 m), often featuring large basal buttresses .

Image Suggestion:

· Insert Location: At the start of this section.

· Picture: Aerial view of African rainforest (e.g., Congo Basin) showing emergent Dabema trees towering above the canopy.

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2. Physical & Mechanical Properties

Dabema’s strength and stability make it a versatile structural material. Key metrics:

Property	Specification
Average Dried Weight	43.4 lbs/ft⊃3; (695 kg/m³)
Specific Gravity (Basic/12% MC)	0.58 / 0.70
Janka Hardness	1,520 lbf (6,740 N)
Modulus of Rupture	16,180 lbf/in⊃2; (111.6 MPa)
Elastic Modulus	1,871,000 lbf/in⊃2; (12.9 GPa)
Crushing Strength	8,430 lbf/in⊃2; (58.2 MPa)
Shrinkage (Radial/Tangential/Volumetric)	3.9% / 8.7% / 12.5%
T/R Ratio	2.2
Moisture Content	12–14% (Air Dried + Kiln Dried)

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· Picture: Janka hardness test diagram showing a steel ball indentation on Dabema wood, with 1,520 lbf.

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3. Color, Grain & Appearance

· Heartwood: Ranges from light yellowish-brown to golden brown, darkening attractively with age and light exposure.

· Sapwood: Pale yellow to grayish-white, clearly demarcated from heartwood (up to 6 inches wide) .

· Grain/Texture: Typically interlocked with a coarse yet uniform texture and moderate natural luster. Quartersawn surfaces reveal striking ribbon-stripe patterns .

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· Picture: Close-up of quartersawn Dabema showing alternating light/dark ribbon stripes, with sapwood-heartwood boundary labeled.

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4. Workability & Handling

· Machining: Generally easy to work with hand/machine tools, but interlocked grain may cause tearout during planing or routing. High silica content blunts cutters quickly .

· Finishing: Takes stains, glues, and finishes beautifully.Caution: Reacts with iron in damp conditions, causing dark stains – use stainless steel fasteners .

· Odor: Strong ammonia-like smell when freshly cut; fades when dry but may reactivate if rewetted .

· Insert Location: After "tearout during planing" note.

· Picture: Macro photo of Dabema tearout during machining, with arrow pointing to rough grain edges.

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5. Common Uses

Dabema’s blend of strength and aesthetics suits diverse applications:

· Structural: Bridge beams, heavy construction, and marine docks (moderate rot resistance) .

· Flooring: High-traffic areas like commercial spaces and vehicle/container flooring (1,520 lbf hardness resists wear) .

· Fine Woodworking: Furniture, cabinetry, and turned objects – especially valued for quartersawn decorative panels .

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· Picture: Installation of Dabema hardwood flooring, showing unfinished vs. varnished planks.

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6. Sustainability & Sourcing

· Conservation Status: Listed as "Least Concern" by IUCN, with widespread populations in tropical Africa .

· Availability: Rare in North America; commonly exported to Europe as oak substitute. Sold as lumber, slabs, and flooring (lengths 1500–5600mm) .

· Certification: Look for FSC-certified sources to support sustainable forestry .

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· Picture: FSC-certified Dabema lumber stack with visible certification labels, in a Cameroon export facility.

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7. Why Choose Dabema?

This underappreciated hardwood offers:

· Strength comparable to oak at moderate prices

· Unique decorative grain for high-end projects

· Sustainable supply chain with minimal conservation risks

For builders and woodworkers seeking a balance of performance and aesthetics, Dabema delivers – just mind the ammonia smell during installation!

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· Picture: Collage of Dabema applications: bridge beam, flooring, and finished furniture.

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8. Dabemawood Supply & Contact

We offer high-quality dabema wood for bulk orders, trusted by engineers in 30+ countries since 2008:

 Thickness: 50+3m

 Width: random width

 Length: 2.4m up

 Origin: Gabon and DRC

Get a Quote Today:

· WeChat/Zalo: +86 17665320128

· WhatsApp: +86 17727554471

· Email: virat@shdwood.com

· Website: https://www.shdtimber.com