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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 Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Faurea saligna Trade Name African beech Family Name Proteaceae Common Names African beech, Beechwood, Beukenhout, Boekenhout, Bwonget, Garahongwe, Gurahunwa, Isidwadwa, Kapfutsa, Kikeriai, Maiyokwa, Markwa, Mokwa, Mosambonet, Moyokwo, Muanjati, Muargua, Muikuni, Muonyela, Murango, Murere, Musasati, Muserigeta, Musesetu, Mushangwa, Mususina, Mutoroswa, Mutos, Mutsatsati, Muzuchai, Naknahi, Narrow-leaved beukenhout, Natakoe, Nkoma, Ol-bugui, Rooi boekenhout, Rooiboekenhout, Siriki, Transvaal boekenhout, Tsatsai, wetsiyar biri Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe Common Uses Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Door, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Paneling, Piling, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Tables, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Wheels Heartwood Color White Yellow Orange Brown Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Red Reddish brown Dark brown Brown Pale red to pink Sapwood Color Red Yellow White Paler than heartwood Grain Even Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Figure shows rays Distinct figure Straight Interlocked Texture Fine Medium Luster Medium Dull Natural Durability Durable Non-durable Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Drying Defects Splitting Checking Slight surface checking Slight collapse and honeycomb Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Moderate Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Bole length is 0-10 m Bark width is 5-10 mm Tree height is 0-10 m Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Nailing Easy to nail Holds nails well Planing Difficult to plane Ease of planing is moderate Planes to a satisfactory finish Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Easy to turn Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8244 12907 psi Density 48 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1658 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 5905 8762 psi Shearing Strength 1989 psi Stiffness 1449 1682 1000 psi Weight 47 38 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 579 907 kg/cm2 Density 769 kg/m3 Hardness 752 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 415 616 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 139 kg/cm2 Stiffness 101 118 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 753 608 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % 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 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 Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa Pardy, A.A.,1955,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S.Rhodesia - Faurea saligna,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S.Rhodesia Bulletin No.1807 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 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya