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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. Boring 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 Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Kiggelaria africana Trade Name Imfeyenkomo Family Name Flacourtiaceae Synonyms Kiggelaria dregeana, Kiggelaria ferruginea Common Names Imfeyenkomo, Isikali, Kiggelaria, Mpataselo, Mumboza, Murungamunyu, Spekhout, Umveti, Vetidovulovu, Wild peach Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels Heartwood Color Red Pale red to pink Sapwood Color Pinkish Grain Even Closed Straight Wavy Figure Weak (figure) Weak figure Wavy Straight Texture Fine Fine Luster Medium Natural Durability Durable Very durable Perishable Moderately durable Non-durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Non durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately durable Durable Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 Drying Defects Checking Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Slight end splitting Ease of Drying Slowly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Boring Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to nail Planing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 47 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1658 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 46 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 753 kg/m3 Hardness 752 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 737 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % 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] 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 Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2 Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 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.,1948,Timber Seasoning in South Africa,South African Forestry Department South Africa Bulletin No.32 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