Trade Names
Etimoe
Latin Names
Copaifera salikounda
Similar to
Bubinga, Mutenye, Cupay
Origin
West Africa
Range
From Guinea via Sierra Leone to Nigeria. Mainly, trees are to be found single-growing, but also scattered in tropical lower rain forests.
Uses
As sliced veneer, Etimoe is used among other things for furniture, paneling and encasings. Producing rotary-cut veneers is also possible, however, these are mainly used for the production of plywood by the wood-working industry. As veneer, Etimoe is worked up and used as flat cut and as quarter cut. Due to its abundance and low price, the wood is primarily used in the low-cost production of serial furniture, only the figured and especially burled type, which is called Tigerwood, is used for exclusive interior fittings.
Properties
The wood is reddish brown and shows irregular, darker color zones. The distinctive spiral growth of this wood species is clearly visible on the surface of veneers and boards. The heartwood convinces by its excellent stability and it is very resistant to pest infestation.
Machining
This West-African wood species excels by its easy handling, both mechanically and manually. Especially the procedures of sawing, planing, slicing and peeling can be carried out problem-free. This is why Etimoe is very well suited for the veneer production.
Seasoning
Copaifera salikounda belongs to those wood species which can be kilndried well. However, drying needs to be done slowly. Quite often, resin secretion in the sapwood zone can occur during the drying process.
Finishing
The surface of products made of this wood species can be treated very well. Staining and varnishing can be carried out problem-free. However, applying polyester varnishes can be problematic as these combine poorly with the wood surfaces, due to the resin occurrences in the sapwood.
Jointing
Gluing presents no problems. Etimoe takes glue well and adheres firmly to the support material.