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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 Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Canthium rubrocostatum Trade Name Chemininyuet Family Name Rubiaceae Synonyms Canthium melanophengos Common Names Chemininyuet, Murathahiga, Ruasi, Taieswa Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Ladders, Mine timbers, Moldings, Plywood, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Turnery, Veneer Heartwood Color White Red Brown Purple Greenish to greyish Brown White to cream Sapwood Color White Yellow Red Same as heartwood Grain Even Straight Straight Texture Coarse Fine Luster Medium Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Moderately durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Slight surface checking Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 40-50 m Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Moderate gluing properties Nailing Holds nails well Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Moderate working qualities Easy to machine Screwing Screwing yields good results Turning Good results Polishing Good results Staining Finish is generally good Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 47 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1883 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 46 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 753 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 132 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 737 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % 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 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya