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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 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 Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Olinia cymosa Trade Name Hard pear Family Name Oliniaceae Synonyms Olinia capensis Common Names Hard pear, Mountain hard pear, Nquao, Olinia, Red berry, Rooibessi, Satyobe Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] South Africa Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Ladders, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Paneling, Plywood, Posts, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts Heartwood Color Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Grain Figure Closed Stripe (figure) Wavy Distinct (figure) Mottled (figure) Interlocked Wavy Striped figure Mottled figure Distinct figure Interlocked Texture Coarse Medium Fine Luster Medium Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Non durable Durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately durable Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Easy to glue Nailing Possible if prebored Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Response to Hand Tools Difficult to machine Screwing Possible if prebored Turning Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Polishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = hard Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 50 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2628 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Shearing Strength 3185 psi Stiffness 1916 2208 1000 psi Weight 49 39 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 801 kg/m3 Hardness 1192 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 223 kg/cm2 Stiffness 134 155 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 785 624 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % 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 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 Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3 South African Lumber Millers Assoc.,1969,Notes on some Commercially Available Hardwoods,S.A.L.M.A. Timber Info. Centre Timber Technical Guide,No.1 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