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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Mortising Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Rapanea rhododendroides Trade Name Kidongadwa Family Name Myrsinaceae Synonyms Myrsine rhododendroides, Rapanea neurophylla Common Names Kidongadwa, Kirjasi, Kititet, Kwarabariet, Mraso, Mshinwizo, Mugaita, Mugeta, Mumangombe, Mungala, Musongonyonye, Muthitha, Mwaja, Ol angabova, Sitoto, Sitotuet Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Common Uses Agricultural implements, Cabinetmaking, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders, Paneling, Plywood, Railroad ties, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Veneer Distribution Overview The genus Rapanea consists of a large number of species, and is distributed in tropical America, Africa, and Asia. R. melanophloeos occurs in Cameroon and in the mountains of central, eastern and southern Africa. In South Africa, the species occurs from the Cape through all the forest districts of the Transvaal Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Pale red to pink White to cream Pale brown Sapwood Color White Brown Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Even Figure Straight Distinct (figure) Texture Coarse Fine Luster High Pronounced Natural Durability Non durable Perishable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately durable Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Reconditioning Treatement Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Blunting Effect Little Boring Poor to very poor results Fairly easy to very easy Carving Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Nailing Difficult to nail Planing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Routing & Recessing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Turning Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 53 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 5408 8171 psi Shearing Strength 1989 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 52 42 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 849 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 380 574 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 139 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 833 673 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % References Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya