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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. Blunting Effect Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Beilschmiedia tawa Trade Name Tawa Family Name Lauraceae Synonyms Nesodaphne tawa, Laurus tawa Common Names Tawa Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] New Zealand Common Uses Cooperages, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Millwork, Paneling, Plywood, Turnery, Veneer Heartwood Color Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Pale brown Greenish to greyish Sapwood Color Color not distinct from heartwood White to yellow Grain Straight Closed Even Figure Wavy Distinct (figure) Straight Wavy Distinct figure Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster Medium Dull Natural Durability Durable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Moderately durable Silica Content Moderate silica contact Drying Defects Slight surface checking Ease of Drying Easy Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Product Sources The ITTO reports that negligible quantities of timber are produced and exported from this species. Exporting countries include Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and the Cameroons. Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Movement in Service Small Nailing Difficult to nail Pre-boring recommended Planing Difficult to plane Ease of planing is moderate Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Screwing Possible if prebored Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Satisfactory results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Max. crushing strength = low Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8670 13570 psi Density 44 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1160 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 4218 6664 psi Shearing Strength 1883 psi Stiffness 1543 1781 1000 psi Weight 43 34 lbs/ft3 Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 609 954 kg/cm2 Density 705 kg/m3 Hardness 526 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 296 468 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 132 kg/cm2 Stiffness 108 125 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 689 544 kg/m3 References Bier, H.,1983,The strength properties of small clear specimens of New Zealand-grown,timber,New Zealand Forest Service Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.41 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press