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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 Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Curtisia faginea Trade Name Asgaai Family Name Cornaceae Synonyms Curtisia dentata Common Names Asgaai, Assagai, Assagaiwood, Assegai, Assegai tree, Cape lancewood, Curtisea, Moodalaqweene, Mubotjo, Muchekamani, Nmnoiso, Umguna, Umgxina, Umnoiso, Zulu Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] South Africa, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Mathematical instruments, Musical instruments, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels Heartwood Color Green/grey Red Pink Greenish to greyish Purple Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure Brown Sapwood Color Paler than heartwood Grain Weak (figure) Figure Straight Even Weak figure Straight Texture Fine Fine Natural Durability Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) Resistant to attack from marine borers Durable Kiln Schedules UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 Drying Defects Severe end splitting Ease of Drying Difficult Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Nailing Possible if prebored Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Screwing Possible if prebored Turning Easy to turn Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = large Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11016 17122 psi Density 53 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2318 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Shearing Strength 2205 psi Stiffness 2041 2351 1000 psi Weight 52 42 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 774 1203 kg/cm2 Density 849 kg/m3 Hardness 1051 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 155 kg/cm2 Stiffness 143 165 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 833 673 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % 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] 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 Chalk, L. et al.,1935,Fifteen South African High Forest Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire, Imperial Forestry,Institute, Oxford,Part 3 Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa 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.,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 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