Botanically, Mushivi (Guibourtia coleosperma) belongs to the Papilionaceae, a subfamily of legumes. The species is also marketed as Copalier or “Rhodesian Copalwood”. Mushivi is related to Bubinga (G. tessmannii) and Mutenye (G. arnoldiana). The species is found in the tree savannahs of southeastern Africa, especially in the south-east. in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Overall low cross-border volume.
Heartwood salmon-colored to strong red, varying in color from tree to tree. Sapwood white-grey with clear boundaries. Pores medium to coarse, scattered and not numerous and partly with dark fillings. Storage cells only recognizable on brain sections as eye-shaped fields around the pores. Fine medullary rays, not affecting the appearance of the wood. Radial growth zones differently distinct, occasionally alternate growth and other fiber deviations frequent, very decorative.
Density at 12% moisture content averages 0.85 (0.78-0.95) t/m3, low shrinkage. Data on swelling and shrinkage are currently not available. Alternatively, the values for bubinga are given: Qt:8.2 + Qr:6.2%. Mushivi shows excellent stamina. Mushivi dries easily and without cracking and can be worked with all tools without difficulty. Decorative surfaces are possible, easy to polish. The wood darkens in the light and takes on a dark red color, but overall it is somewhat lighter than Bubinga. Mushivi is weatherproof.
Bubinga, Afzelia-Doussié, etc..
Information service wood GOTTWALD (1970): Wood identification of the most important commercial timbers
WAGENFÜHR (1996): Wood Atlas.
Note: according to the latest findings, but excluding any liability