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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 Drying Defects Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Allophylus abyssinicus Trade Name Allophyllus Family Name Sapindaceae Common Names Allophyllus, Boinwa, Forest velvet, Losin, Lusasari, Matarua, Mbangwe, Mbaya, Mongame, Morilwa, Morota, Mukarakara, Mushami, Mutarauka, Nyakisagi, Poinyet, Sagamuet, Sasuriet Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Toys Heartwood Color Purple Red Brown Pale brown Grain Even Closed Interlocked Straight Wavy Straight Interlocked Wavy Texture Fine Medium Medium to coarse Fine Fine to medium Coarse Natural Durability Very durable Durable Resistant to marine borers Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Drying Defects Splitting Tree Identification Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Movement in Service Stable Nailing Possible if prebored Holds satisfactorily Resistance to Impregnation Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Variable qualities Easy to machine Polishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 39 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 38 30 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 624 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 608 480 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 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