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Blunting Effect Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Baikiaea plurijuga Trade Name Rhodesian teak Family Name Leguminosae Common Names Gusi, Igusi, Ikusi, Mkusi, Mukushi, Mukusi, Redwood, Rhodesian redwood, Rhodesian teak, Umgusi, Umgusu, Umguzi, Umguzu, Umkuswi, Umpapa, Zambesi redwood, Zambesian redwood Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Domestic flooring, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Food containers, Furniture, Heavy construction, Light construction, Mine timbers, Moldings, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Sub-flooring, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range Distribution Overview This species occurs in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is confined to lowland tropical forest on the Kalahari sands. Baikiaea plurijuga is the dominant component of the Baikiaea forest canopy. Baikiaea forest is the most extensive deciduous forest on the Kalahari Sand in the south of the Upper Zambezi basin and B. plurijuga is essentially limited to this area. In Zimbabwe, B. plurijuga is found in higher areas of thicket on Kalahari sands of the Lupane and Nkayi districts and in higher areas of woodland thicket on colluvium in the Binga district. Heartwood Color Brown Purple Green/grey Red Reddish brown Brown Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure Reddish-Brown, sometimes marked with irregular dark brown or black lines or flecks Red Pale red to pink Sapwood Color White Brown Yellow Pinkish Well defined White to yellow Paler than heartwood Same as heartwood Pale pinkish brown Different than heartwood Clearly demarcated from heartwood in old trees Grain Interlocked Straight Figure Rippled (figure) Even Growth rings (figure) Distinct (figure) Weak (figure) Interlocked Straight Rippled figure Clear growth rings (figure) Weak figure Interlocked slightly to moderately Distinct figure Texture Medium Fine Fine Even textured Luster Slightly lustrous Lustrous Low Dull Natural Growth Defects Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Moderately resistant to marine borer attack Moderately resistant to attack by termites Heartwood has very high natural resistance to decay Odor No specific smell or taste Resin Content Very high resistance to wear Well suited for decorative flooring under all conditions, and including heavy-duty flooring Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=D US=T3D2/T3C1 UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 T3-D2 (4/4); T3-D1 (8/4) US Schedule D;United Kingdom Drying Defects Slight surface checking Moderate surface checking Moderate twist/warp Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting Slight distortion may occur during drying Liable to surface checking if dried too rapidly Ease of Drying Easy Easy to dry Dries slowly Difficult Product Sources The ITTO reports that an important source of timber. The timber is exported in low quantities. Tatajuba is exported from Brazil into Italy, Germany, Holland, and England. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Under moist conditions, tannin may react with iron and iron compounds that come in contact with the wood to cause discoloration Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Blunting effect on machining is severe Severe blunting effect on cutting tools due to high silica content Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Prone to charring in many machining operations Easy Described as very hard and heavy Blunts cutting edges very rapidly Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Specially-Tipped saws are recommended Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Considerable build-up of gum on saw teeth, especially when timber is green Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Easy to glue Moulding Good finishing results Movement in Service Small Stable Retains shape well in use Dimensionally stable after drying Nailing Difficult to nail Possible if prebored Easy to nail Very poor nailing properties Not suitable for nailing Holds nails well Planing Planes well, to a good finish Difficult to plane Ease of planing is moderate Tendency for wood to ride on cutters if material is not held firmly Easy to plane A cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is moderately permeable Extremely resistant to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Difficult to machine Screwing Screwing yields good results Turning Easy to turn Good results Excellent turning properties Veneering Qualities No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Diifficult to veneer Steam Bending Moderate Occasional small knots and a tendency for the wood to buckle make it unsuitable for steam bending Painting Takes paint well Good results Polishing Good results Fairly good polishing characteristics Staining Stains well Stains evenly Finish is generally good Varnishing Good varnishing properties Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = very hard Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Bending strength (MOR) = low Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Very high density Very heavy Very hard Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = very high Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high The bending strength of air-dried wood of the species is similar to that of Teak, which is considered to be strong. It is stronger than Hard maple, White oak, or Teak. may require special tools to process Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7391 12008 psi Density 56 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2995 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6401 9572 psi Shearing Strength 2205 psi Stiffness 1147 1300 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.64 Weight 55 55 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 4 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 519 844 kg/cm2 Density 897 kg/m3 Hardness 1358 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 450 672 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 155 kg/cm2 Stiffness 80 91 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.64 Weight 881 881 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 4 % References Arkwright, P.,1960,Know your Timber No.70 Baikiea plurijuga,Woodworking Industry,17(3,p153 Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa. 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 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 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chalk, L., et al,1932,Some East African Coniferae and Leguminosae,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire,Part 1 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Desch, H.E.,1947,The Teaks,Wood,12(11,pp324-5 Desch, H.E.,1951,Manual of Commercial Timbers,The Author Crockham Hill, Kent,Vol.1 Fanshawe, D.B.,1962,Fifty Common Trees of Northern Rhodesia,Natural Resources Board and Forestry Department, Ndola Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1954,Hardwoods for Industrial Flooring,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet, No.48 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1955,Kiln-Drying Schedules,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Leaflet,No.42 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 Fortin, Y., Poliquin, J.,1976,Natural Durability and Preservation of 100 Tropical African Woods,International Development Research Centre, Canada Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization, Melbourne, Australia. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Martin, J.D.,1940,The Baikiaea Forests of Northern Rhodesia,Empire Forestry Journal,19,pp8-18 Pardy, A.A.,1952,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia - Baikiaea plurijuga,(Harms,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S.Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1605 Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London 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.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal] Simpson, W.T. and J.A. Sagoe. 1991. Relative Drying Times of 650 Tropical Woods : Estimation by Green Moisture Content, Specific Gravity, and Green Weight Density. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-71, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. South African Lumber Millers Assoc.,1969,Notes on some Commercially Available Hardwoods,S.A.L.M.A. Timber Info. Centre Timber Technical Guide,No.1 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of Africa Woods 2,Tropical Woods 16(106) pp65-97 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1957,Survey of Africa Woods 3,Tropical Woods 16(107) pp92-128 Storrs, A.E.G.,1979,Know your Trees - Some of the Common Trees found in Zambia,Zambia Forestry Department, Ndola 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 Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Timber Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London Zambia - N.Rhodesia Chamber of Mine,1942,Native Timber,Northern Rhodesia Chamber of Mines