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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 Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Odyendea zimmermannii Trade Name Bankhu Family Name Simaroubaceae Common Names Bankhu, Mbanko, Shamba Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Tanzania Common Uses Boxes and crates, Food containers, Light construction, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Toys, Veneer Heartwood Color Red White Brown Pink White to cream Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Sapwood Color Red White Same as heartwood Grain Figure Other (figure) Other figure Texture Coarse Coarse Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Perishable Non durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Severe twisting/warping Severe cupping Slight surface checking Ease of Drying Rapidly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Bark width is 15-20 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Boring Fairly easy to very easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Resistance to Splitting Good Turning Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Polishing Fair to Good Results Staining Fair to Good Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 4911 7600 psi Density 24 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 2139 3916 psi Shearing Strength 1221 psi Stiffness 1017 1199 1000 psi Weight 24 20 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 345 534 kg/cm2 Density 384 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 150 275 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 85 kg/cm2 Stiffness 71 84 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 384 320 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % 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 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Tanzania Forestry Department,1962,Timbers of Tanganyika - Odyendea zimmermannii,Tanzania Forestry Department, Utilisation Section, Moshi - Timbers of,Tanganyika