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Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
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

Scientific Name
Ochna holstii

Trade Name
Common forest ochna

Family Name
Ochnaceae

Synonyms
Ochna acutifolia, Ochna chirindica, Ochna longpipes


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Common forest ochna, Lagatanet, Logontomwa, Lokotono, Mugimbi, Mungarima, Mutandi, Ol-daradach, Piriribayet, Red ironwood, Rooiysterhout, Tonso

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders, Mathematical instruments, Musical instruments, Piling, Plywood, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Veneer, Walking sticks, Wheel spokes

Heartwood Color
Red
Brown
Reddish brown


Sapwood Color
Red
White to yellow


Grain
Straight
Even

Straight


Texture
Coarse
Medium
Fine


Luster
Lustrous


Natural Durability
Durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Moderately durable


Drying Defects
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate surface checking


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Tree height is 0-10 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bark width is 15-20 mm


Cutting Resistance
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to glue


Nailing
Possible if prebored


Planing
Planes well, to a good finish


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Polishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Max. crushing strength = high
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = small


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1357620956psi
Density56lbs/ft3
Maximum Crushing Strength68999945psi
Shearing Strength2205psi
Stiffness216724941000 psi
Weight5545lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength9541473kg/cm2
Density897kg/m3
Maximum Crushing Strength485699kg/cm2
Shearing Strength155kg/cm2
Stiffness1521751000 kg/cm2
Weight881721kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%

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

Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London

Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa

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

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