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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. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Drying Defects Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Light-Induced Color Change Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Markhamia platycalyx Trade Name Lusambya Family Name Bignoniaceae Synonyms Dolichandrone platycalyx Common Names Lusambya, Lusiola, Mobet, Moo, Msambia, Mtarawanda, Nsambia, Nsambya, Siala Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Piling, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Tables, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery Heartwood Color Red Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown White to cream Greenish to greyish Sapwood Color Same as heartwood Grain Straight Even Straight Texture Fine Medium Fine to medium Natural Durability Durable Durable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Very durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Moderately durable Light-Induced Color Change Darker Drying Defects Slight surface checking Tree Identification Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is straight Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Gluing Easy to glue Nailing Holds satisfactorily Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Moderate working qualities Screwing Screwing yields good results Veneering Qualities Good gluing qualities Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Drying degrade is moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splits Bolt preparation requires steaming Polishing Satisfactory results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9117 14241 psi Density 33 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 4289 6840 psi Shearing Strength 1775 psi Stiffness 1512 1745 1000 psi Weight 32 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 641 1001 kg/cm2 Density 528 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 301 480 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 124 kg/cm2 Stiffness 106 122 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 512 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % References Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35 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 Eggeling, W.J., Harris, C.M.,1939,Fifteen Uganda Timbers,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire, Imperial Forestry,Institute, Oxford,Part 4 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France Kenya Forest Department,1941,Strengths of Kenya timbers,Kenya Forest Department Bulletin No. 36 Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Tack, C.H.,1958,The Strength Properties of some Uganda Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Bulletin No. 5 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 Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1 Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya