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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 Schedules Luster Mortising Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Calodendrum capense Trade Name Cape chestnut Family Name Rutaceae Synonyms Calodendrum capensis Common Names Cape chestnut, Kastaiingboom, Kastanjehout, Mgorusi, Moehakalela, Mujai, Mulalachi, Muroroa, Ol-larashi, Ombaba, Umbaba, Wild chestnut, Wildekastaiing, Yangu Regions of Distribution Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Musical instruments, Paneling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Yellow White Orange Black Green/grey Red Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown White to cream Greenish to greyish Brown Sapwood Color Green/Grey Yellow White White to yellow Same as heartwood Grain Straight Figure Even Growth rings (figure) Distinct (figure) Straight Distinct figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Fine to medium Medium Fine Luster Medium Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Non durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Perishable Kiln Schedules UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 Drying Defects No twisting or warping No end splitting Ease of Drying Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Boring Easy Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Finishes well Nailing Easy to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Sanding Good sanding finish Turning Easy to turn Good results Steam Bending Very good Polishing Satisfactory results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 42 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1658 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 2205 psi Stiffness 1460 1686 1000 psi Weight 41 33 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 673 kg/m3 Hardness 752 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 155 kg/cm2 Stiffness 102 118 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 657 528 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1979,Aiele,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,187,pp65-78 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 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 Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Pardy, A.A.,1956,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1891 Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1 Scott, M.H.,1948,Timber Seasoning in South Africa,South African Forestry Department South Africa Bulletin No.32 Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36 Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3 Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford 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 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya