Sipo

Origin: Tropical-equatorial area.

Latin name.
Entandrophragma utile Sprague.

Natural vegetation area.
Humid forests and neighbouring savannahs of the tropical-equatorial area extending from Sierra Leone to the Central African Republic and to the Congo Basin as well as, East-wards, to a part of Uganda.

TRUNK CHARACTERISTICS.
The tree reaches a big size, sometimes up to 60 m height. The trunk has very large root buttresses at the base, above which the diameter can be up to a 2.50 m, then continuing with a straight and regular growth habit. It features frequent strong internal stresses.

WOOD APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS.
The thin sapwood, varying in colour from whitish to rosy grey, can be clearly distinguished from the reddish or violet dark brown heartwood; upon contact with metals, dark stains can occur. An important element to distinguish Sipo from Sapele is the pleasant and scented smell of the latter, whereas Sipo is absolutely odourless, even when it is fresh.

Specific weight.
In the fresh condition 780 kg/m³; after normal seasoning 620 kg/m³.

Histological structure.
Fine texture, rarely straight and regular grain, often clearly cross-grain.

Shrinkage.
From moderate to medium.

Mechanical characteristics.
Axial compression strength 55 N/mm² on average; bending strength 110 N/mm²; hardness from moderate to medium; impact behaviour moderate.

Modulus of elasticity.
11.000 N/mm².

Most frequent structural defects and alteration.
Ring shakes and small cross fractures typical of the brittle heart resulting from internal stresses.

Durability.
Poor for the sapwood; good for the heartwood.

 

Texts taken from: “Manuale tecnico del legno”, FNALA CNA LEGNO LEGNO, by Prof. Ing. Guglielmo Giordano.

 

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