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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. Boring Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Varnishing Scientific Name Balanites aegyptiaca Trade Name Arraronyit Family Name Zygophyllaceae Common Names Arraronyit, Baddan, Chakko, Chiala, Desert date, Ga, Gongo, Gongugua, Gungo, Heglig, Kabowdo, Kha, Kuri, Loba, Logba, Lungoswa, Mjunju, Mulului, Muongo, Muvambangoma, Nulu, Nyahoko, Odhto, Og, Ogat, Ol-ngoswa, Sarongo, Shashob, Simple-thorned torchwood, Soap berry tree, Tau, Tira, To, Torchwood, Tu Regions of Distribution Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boxes and crates, Carvings, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Poles, Posts, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts Heartwood Color Green/grey Red Pink Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Pale brown Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Same as heartwood Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Growth rings (figure) Distinct figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster High Medium Lustrous Natural Durability Perishable Durable Non-durable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Non durable Very durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Light-Induced Color Change None Kiln Schedules UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying Defects No surface checking No resin/gum exudation No end splitting Ease of Drying Easy Kiln Drying Rate Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Boring Easy Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Easy to mortise Finishes well Moulding Easy to mould Good finishing results Movement in Service Medium Nailing Possible if prebored Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 47 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2318 lbs Impact Strength 47 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 2462 psi Stiffness 1347 1563 1000 psi Weight 46 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 753 kg/m3 Hardness 1051 kg Impact Strength 119 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 173 kg/cm2 Stiffness 94 109 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 737 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % 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 Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2 Chittenden, A.E., et al,1954,Three timbers from Kenya Neoboutonia macrocalyx, M. kilimandschendia and,Croton macrostachys as Paper-making materials,Colonial Plant and Animal Products,4, pp46-52 Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1968,Report on a Consignment of Heglig (Balanites aegyptiaca) from the Republic,of the Sudan,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Reports on,Overseas Timber, No.9 Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London Storrs, A.E.G.,1979,Know your Trees - Some of the Common Trees found in Zambia,Zambia Forestry Department, Ndola Suliman, A. el G.M., Jackson, J.K.,1959,The Heglig Tree (Balanites aegyptiaca,Sudan Silva 9(1,pp63-4 Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London