Ekki timber is a fascinating hardwood variety that hails from the coastal regions of West Africa, particularly in countries like Sierra Leone and Nigeria. This article serves as a detailed exploration of this remarkable wood species, highlighting its botanical characteristics, origin, appearance, properties, and various applications.
The Botanical Identity Known scientifically as Lophira alata, the Ekki tree goes by several regional names, including Azobe and Bongossi. Belonging to the Ochnaceae family, this tree boasts a diverse nomenclature across the countries it inhabits.
Discovering Its Habitat Ekki trees predominantly thrive in the swamps and rainforests along the West African coastline. They are characterized by their straight trunks, occasionally featuring a swollen base with a diameter ranging from 5 to 6 feet. Notably, branches are absent until a height of around 30 meters, rendering Ekki ideal for obtaining long, straight beams and planks. The reddish-brown bark, up to two centimeters thick, has earned it the moniker “Red Ironwood” due to its strength and hue. The leaves, approximately 25cm in length, possess a rounded or indented tip and are relatively narrow. Younger Ekki trees exhibit a greenish-grey bark that transitions to pink or light brown as they mature.
Examining Ekki Timber
The heartwood of Ekki timber displays a rich, dark red hue, contrasting with the pale pink sapwood. Its wood often presents a speckled appearance, characterized by white streaks set against a dark background. Ekki timber features interlocking grains, a coarse and uneven texture, and is exceptionally hard and heavy.
Inherent Qualities
One of the standout attributes of Ekki timber is its outstanding strength and natural durability. It boasts resistance against insect and fungal attacks, as well as weathering, obviating the need for protective treatments. This inherent resilience makes Ekki a favored choice for civil and marine projects, including railway ties, sea defense groynes, piers, and harbor fenders. Although it can be challenging to work with at times, Ekki timber finishes well and offers good gluing properties when required.
Diverse Applications
While Ekki timber is considered too hard for many applications, it excels in heavy construction, particularly in rail, civil, and marine projects such as docks and harbors. Its high density and durability make it an ideal choice for these demanding environments. Additionally, Ekki timber is often used in the creation of bog mats, also known as navy mats, due to its exceptional properties.
Interesting Trivia
An intriguing historical note is that the bark of the Ekki tree was traditionally employed as a method of treating headaches, with people sniffing it in hopes of relief from pain.
Unmatched Strength
In terms of density, Ekki surpasses even Oak, which is renowned for its density. Ekki boasts a staggering strength of 96 MPa, compared to European Oak’s 46.3 MPa. This makes Ekki a valuable resource for a wide range of marine projects and heavy-duty construction.
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