Banak Virola spp. May reach a height of 140 ft with trunk diameters of 5 ft, usually much shorter and only 2 to 3 ft in diameter. Boles are heavily buttressed, cylindrical, and clear for more than two-thirds of total height. The wood is not resistant to attack by decay fungi and is very susceptible to attack by termites and other insects.
Logs require prompt conversion or water storage to prevent damage by pinhole borers.
Bacterial attack resulting in the formation of odoriferous compounds is also reported. Oil is extracted from seeds of Virola and used in soaps and candles. 282-3Logs are delivered to a sawmill in southern Nigeria. Export of logs fro this region, as well as from most other tropical areas, is being restricted. M 150 282-2Band mills in Ghana are designed to handle logs 5 feet and more in diameter.