Samenvatting

By desk research and interviews it was found that the issues that make a specie commercially interesting are properties and availability as primary issues. Secondary are demand and price which may vary. Experience from the past had different amounts of success and on average it is found that acceptance of lesser known timber species is better nowadays although it remains easier to sell common species. To place new species in the market the ground, way and hydraulics sector and the retail sector were found to be the most successful because of acceptance and suitability. All these issues formed a tool to use during the selection of potentially interesting species which may become commercialized. By determining possible applications and comparing to somewhat similar species, the quality could be determined based on properties for a certain end use and features to become successful on the market. This concept tool was tested on a thoroughly selected pilot (test) area in Cameroon containing 61 species. After several selections the list was brought back to four species; Alep, Bodo, Koto and Movingui.