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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 Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Luster Movement in Service Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Metrosideros robusta Trade Name Northern rata Family Name Myrtaceae Common Names Northern rata, Rata Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] New Zealand Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Bridge construction, Hockey sticks, Posts, Railroad ties, Tool handles, Vehicle parts, Wharf construction Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Orange Red Purple Pale brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Grain Even Straight Straight Texture Fine Medium Fine Luster Medium Low Natural Durability Very durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Durable Drying Defects Checking Distortion Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = hard Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Bending strength (MOR) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9577 14919 psi Density 47 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2143 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Shearing Strength 2365 psi Stiffness 1637 1887 1000 psi Weight 46 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 673 1048 kg/cm2 Density 753 kg/m3 Hardness 972 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 166 kg/cm2 Stiffness 115 132 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 737 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % References Bier, H.,1983,The strength properties of small clear specimens of New Zealand-grown,timber,New Zealand Forest Service Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.41 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Entrican, A.R., Et al,1951,The Physical and Mechanical properties of the principal indegenous woods,of New Zealand,New Zealand Forest Service, Wellington NZ