Common uses
Furniture, veneer, plywood, musical instruments—including electric guitar bodies—and turned objects.
Congo-DRC timber profile
Limba
Terminalia superba
Species overview
Distinctive by nature.
Limba is easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It is prized for its color, flexibility and finish; a clear coat brings out an attractive golden tone.
Common namesLimba, Black Limba, White Limba, Korina, Afara
Scientific nameTerminalia superba
DistributionTropical Africa
Tree size65–100 ft (20–30 m) tall; 5–7 ft (1.5–2.2 m) trunk diameter
Average dried weight35 lbs/ft³ (555 kg/m³)
Crushing strength6,580 lbf/in² (45.4 MPa)
ShrinkageRadial 4.3%; Tangential 6.3%; Volumetric 10.8%; T/R Ratio 1.5
Color & appearance
Heartwood is light yellowish to golden brown, sometimes with grey to nearly black streaks. Darker figuring is called Black Limba; plain wood is called White Limba. Color darkens with age.
Grain & texture
Straight to slightly interlocked with a uniformly coarse texture and moderate natural luster.
Rot resistance
Rated non-durable and susceptible to insect attack.
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