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Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Planing
References
Regions of Distribution
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning

Scientific Name
Osyris compressa

Trade Name
Chumokwavil

Family Name
Santalaceae

Synonyms
Osyris abyssinica, Osyris wightiana


Common Names
Chumokwavil, East African sandalwood, Ekamukwa, Maiyukorvil, Marimarotwa, Mukumita, Muzizi, Ol-essesse, Sigteti, Wato

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Ladders, Mathematical instruments, Musical instruments, Posts, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Vats

Heartwood Color
Purple
Red
Brown
Reddish brown
Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure


Sapwood Color
Paler than heartwood


Grain
Even
Straight

Straight


Texture
Medium
Fine
Fine


Natural Durability
Durable
Very durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to marine borers
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Very durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from marine borers


Toxicity
Some toxic effects


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Internal Honeycombing Possible
Checking
Collapse


Ease of Drying
Easy


Kiln Drying Rate
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is straight


Tree Size
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw


Gluing
Easy to glue


Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement


Nailing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Possible if prebored


Planing
Planes well, to a good finish


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to machine


Screwing
Possible if prebored


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results


Strength Properties
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = small


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Density58lbs/ft3
Weight5746lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Density929kg/m3
Weight913737kg/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

Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3

White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London









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