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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. Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Sapium ellipticum Trade Name Alokwe Family Name Euphorbiaceae Synonyms Sapium mannianum, Excoecaria reticulata Common Names Alokwe, Bileri, Bonyurome, Einiu, Elipilepo, Jumping seed tree, Msese, Muhasi tureret, Mujasa, Mujasajasa, Mujustet, Musaja, Musanvuma, Musasa, Musasia, Musesa, Musoso, Muthathi, Omuchasa, Omusasa, Omushasha, Springsaadboom, Tatahiro Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general, Ladders, Light construction, Toys, Vehicle parts Heartwood Color Red Pink Brown Purple Pale brown White to cream Sapwood Color White Yellow Pink Same as heartwood Grain Figure Other (figure) Other figure Texture Fine Medium to coarse Coarse Luster Medium Low Natural Durability Very durable Resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Non durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Perishable Toxicity Some toxic effects Drying Defects Checking Distortion Severe twisting/warping Severe surface checking Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is misshapen Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Bole length is 0-10 m Bole length is 10-20 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Bark width is 20-25 mm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Gluing Moderate gluing properties Moulding Poor to Very Poor Results Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Holds nails well Planing Easy to plane Difficult to plane Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Difficult to machine Moderate working qualities Screwing Pre-boring recommended Screwing yields good results Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 36 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1883 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 35 28 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 576 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 132 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 560 448 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % 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 Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Keay, R.W.J.,1989,Trees of Nigeria,Oxford Science Publications, Clarendon Press, Oxford Lee, Y.H., Lopez, D.T.,1968,The Machining Properties of some Malayan Timbers,Malayan Forester,3,pp194-210 Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3 Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya