Agba

Family: Fabaceae - Order: Fabales - Class: Magnoliopsida
Scientific name: Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum
Trade name: Tola / Agba
Also known as White tola, Tola branca, Nigerian cedar and Otabo
Origin: West and Central Africa, from Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Instrumental uses: Guitar necks.

Tonal properties:

An amazing African tonewood for classical guitars necks, it was used by some master luthiers in the past. Very close to Honduran cedar density, the interlocked grain makes this a very stiff and stable wood. It finishes well with a clear and unique look.

Density reference nearly 520 kg/m³

Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum grows in mature little-disturbed lowland rainforest.The tree reaches a height of more than 50 m, with trunk diameters up to 170 or even 200 cm. The bole is clear and straight to 26 to 30 m in length and more.

The sapwood is whitish light brown  and the heartwood is pinkish yellow-brown, darkening on exposure, it is not clearly demarcated from the sapowood.

Is not listed on CITES but on the IUCN Red List is reported as endangered.