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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 Mortising Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Platylophus trifoliatus Trade Name White alder Family Name Cunoniaceae Synonyms Weinmannia trifoliata Common Names White alder, White els, Witels, Witte els Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] South Africa Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Mine timbers, Moldings, Paneling, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery Heartwood Color Brown Green/grey Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish Dark brown Sapwood Color Paler than heartwood Grain Even Figure Straight Distinct (figure) Weak (figure) Straight Weak figure Distinct figure Texture Medium Fine Natural Durability Durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Kiln Schedules Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow Drying Defects Moderate collapse and honeycombing Ease of Drying Difficult Kiln Drying Rate Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Easy to mortise Moulding Easy to mould Nailing Easy to nail Planing Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Turning Turns with moderate ease Good results Easy to turn Painting Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 33 lbs/ft3 Hardness 995 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 882 psi Stiffness 1017 1199 1000 psi Weight 32 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 528 kg/m3 Hardness 451 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 62 kg/cm2 Stiffness 71 84 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 512 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % 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 Chalk, L. et al.,1935,Fifteen South African High Forest Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire, Imperial Forestry,Institute, Oxford,Part 3 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 Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36 Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3 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