MOVINGUI
BOTANICAL NAME: Distemonanthus benthamianus of the Family Fabaceae (syn Leguminosae) the legume, pea, or bean family

COMMON NAMES: ayan, African satinwood, Nigerian satinwood, barre, ayanran, bonsamdua, eyen, ogueminia, okpe, anyaran, anyanran, anyan (Nigeria), barré (Ivory Coast), eyen (Cameroons), oguéminia (Gabon)

NOTE: although frequently called satinwood, it isn't

TYPE: hardwood

COLOR: pale yellow to deeper golden yellow, darkening with age, sometimes with dark streaks. The pale yellow sapwood is narrow and not clearly defined.

GRAIN: interlocked, sometimes wavy which produces and iridescent look similar to satinwood

TEXTURE: most reports say fine, but my experience is more meduim

PROPERTIES / WORKABILITY: works easily with most tools, but some material has a silica content that can dull cutting tools. There is a tendancy to pick up when planing quartersawn stock due to interlocking grain. Lighter material generally has less silica and can be easier to work than darker wood. Movingui glues well with predrilling needed for screws and nails. Gum buildup can occur on saws.

DURABILITY: generally resists termites and is mechanically moderately durable

FINISH: polishes and stains well and can be painted satisfactorily but needs to be filled well when finishing for best results

STABILITY: medium to low movement in service

BENDING: fairly good bending properties

ODOR: reportedly has a distinct odor

SOURCES: widely but sparsely distributed throughout the high forests of West Africa, mainly in Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria.

USES: road and railway construction, interior joinery, flooring, parquet, doors, window frames and sills. It is a popular choice for residential as well as gym floors because it stands up well to heavy use. It is also used for high-end furniture, paneling, cabinetmaking and specialty items. The veneer is generally very attractive.

TREE: a slender tree attaining a height of 100 feet but seldom more than 2.5 feet in diameter. The bole is straight, cylindrical and free from buttresses.

WEIGHT: variable from 37 to 48 pounds per cubic foot with an average seasoned weight of 42 pounds per cubic foot

DRYING: requires slow drying to avoid checking but has little tendancy to split or warp

AVAILABILITY: low to moderate

COST: moderate

web quotes:
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not suitable for use in kitchens or laundries because the yellow dye deposits in the pores are soluble in water and can cause staining

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Movingui should not be left unprotected against sunlight or strong winds to avoid the risk of twisting or checking