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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 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 Item Green Dry English Density 58 lbs/ft3 Weight 57 46 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 929 kg/m3 Weight 913 737 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % 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