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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. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Luster Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Size Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Butea monosperma Trade Name Bengal kino Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Butea frondosa Common Names Bengal kino, Bulyettra, Chalcha, Chamatha, Cheola, Chichra, Chickria, Chiula, Chora, Dhak, Faras, Flame of the forest, Gas-kela, Kakria, Kankra, Kankrei, Khakra, Lahokung, Mai-kao, Moduga, Modugu, Mohtu, Mur, Murr, Murup, Murut, Muttala, Muttuga, Muttugal, Palas, Palasa, Palashu, Palasi, Palasin samatha, Parasu, Pauk, Pawpan, Pharsa, Phulla, Phullas kakria, Plas, Plossotree, Polak, Porasan, Porasu, Pu palasu, Pupalasu, Purasu, Puroha, Shanggan, Shora Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Burma, India, Sri Lanka Common Uses Boxes and crates, Charcoal, Fuelwood, Furniture, Piling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods Heartwood Color Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Greenish to greyish Sapwood Color Same as heartwood Grain Straight Interlocked Even Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Texture Fine Coarse Luster Low Lustrous Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin exudation Natural Durability Moderately durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Resistant to powder post beetles Perishable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Non durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Drying Defects Checking Distortion Ease of Drying Easy Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as poor Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Veneering Qualities Diifficult to veneer Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 4310 6606 psi Density 35 lbs/ft3 Impact Strength 15 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2139 3916 psi Stiffness 1188 1383 1000 psi Weight 34 27 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 303 464 kg/cm2 Density 560 kg/m3 Impact Strength 38 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 150 275 kg/cm2 Stiffness 83 97 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 544 432 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Blatter, E., Millard, W.S.,1937,Some Beautiful Indian Trees,John Bale, Sons & Cornow Ltd, London Bourdillon, T.F.,1908,The Forest Trees of Travancore,Travancore Government Press Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London Guha, S.R.D., Mukherjea, V.N.,1961,Newsprint grade ground pulp from Butea monosperma (palas,Indian Forester 87(9) pp546-50 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Nazma,1981,A handbook of Kerala Timbers,Kerala Forest Research Institute Research Report, No.9 Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols Ramesh, Rao K., Purkayastha, S.K.,1972,Indian Woods - Their Identification Properties and Uses,Dehra Dun India,Vol. 3 Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6