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Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing

Scientific Name
Harungana madagascarensis

Trade Name
A-pil

Family Name
Guttiferae

Synonyms
Haronga madagascariensis


Wood Image 1

Common Names
A-pil, Alillibar rafi, Bine, Boupulo, Chepsebil, Dua-ben, E-pil, Fusimegue, Igiekpo, Itue, Kosoa, Kpel, Kunamaji, Lolo, Marindazia, Mbeli, Mbema, Mbura, Mgondogondo, Muitasoa, Mukaranga, Muminyu, Munyamwe, Mupfukusi, Musira, Mutseti, Mutsodzo, Mutusotso, Namahasi, Namasahi, Ndeli, Ngo-dua, Ngoua, Nguel, Nno-dua, Oduben, Okosoa, Orange milk tree, Otere, Ouli yolo, Sumbala, Sumbale, Sungala, Tolongo, Tonbale, Uturu, webi, Wobe, Wom'be

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chemical derivatives, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Hockey sticks, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Particleboard, Pulp/Paper products, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery

Heartwood Color
White
Yellow
Orange
Green/grey
Brown
Red
Pale red to pink
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
White to cream


Sapwood Color
Red
Yellow
White
White to yellow
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood


Grain
Figure
Closed
Even
Wavy
Straight
Interlocked
Growth rings (figure)
Distinct (figure)
Weak (figure)

Wavy
Straight
Weak figure
Interlocked
Distinct figure
Clear growth rings (figure)


Texture
Medium
Fine
Coarse
Coarse


Luster
Medium


Natural Durability
Perishable
Non-durable
Moderately durable
Non durable
Moderately durable
Durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Perishable
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Checking
Distortion
Moderate end spitting


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy


Kiln Drying Rate
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast


Tree Size
Tree height is 10-20 m
Bole length is 0-10 m
Bole length is 20-30 m
Bark width is 10-15 mm
Tree height is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy


Gluing
Easy to glue


Nailing
Easy to nail


Planing
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable heartwood
Resistant heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is moderately resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Easy to machine


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results


Painting
Good results


Polishing
Satisfactory results


Varnishing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results


Strength Properties
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = low


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength61119589psi
Density40lbs/ft3
Maximum Crushing Strength39166397psi
Shearing Strength1560psi
Stiffness101711991000 psi
Weight3931lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength429674kg/cm2
Density641kg/m3
Maximum Crushing Strength275449kg/cm2
Shearing Strength109kg/cm2
Stiffness71841000 kg/cm2
Weight624496kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%

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

Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies

Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9

Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan

Pardy, A.A.,1956,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1891

White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London

Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya