Gaboon

Description

A commercial timber from the tree, Aucoumea klaineana, found in western Africa. Gaboon is also called gaboon mahogany because its soft, silky reddish-brown wood is similar in color to mahogany. The lightweight wood is used for furniture, veneer, plywood, and interior fittings. Gaboon is moderately resistant to fungal and insect attack.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Aucoumea klaineana; okoumé (Fr.); ocumé (Port.) ; okoume; oukoume; gaboon mahogany

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Density = 27 ppcf

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 432

• F. H. Titmuss, Commercial Timbers of the World, The Technical Press Ltd., London, 1965

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Sapindales." Accessed 9 Sept. 2004.