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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 Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Afrocrania volkensii Trade Name Chumnalilet Family Name Cornaceae Synonyms Cornus volkensii Common Names Chumnalilet, Kalkalter, Kamnyalilet, Kasakiga, Mugonyone, Mukorombosi, Mushemeki, Musonganyonyi, Muveneki, Muyandege, Saiit, Tasakiet, Torokoi, Tumbechi Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe Common Uses Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Plywood, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Brown Red Purple Black Pale red to pink Pale brown Sapwood Color White to yellow Grain Even Straight Straight Texture Fine Medium Luster Low Natural Durability Durable Moderately durable Non durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Perishable Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Light-Induced Color Change Darker Drying Defects Distortion Checking Splitting Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Slowly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 40-50 m Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 50-60 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Blunting Effect High to severe Boring Fairly easy to very easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Nailing Holds nails well Planing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Screwing Screwing yields good results Turning Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Veneering Qualities Veneers moderately easy Veneers easily Suitable for peeling Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Moderately easy to veneer Good gluing qualities Drying degrade is moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splits Bolt preparation requires steaming Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 35 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 34 27 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 560 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 544 432 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % 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 France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya