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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 Grain Heartwood Color Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Size Scientific Name Pongamia pinnata Trade Name Balocbaloc Family Name Papilionaceae Synonyms Pongamia glabra Common Names Balocbaloc, Bani, Bonge, Charr, Dalkaramcha, Darkaranja, Gangaji, Ganuga, Garanju, Haedem, Hungay, Indian beech, Karach, Karana, Karanga, Karangi, Karanja, Karcha, Karchaw, Kerum, Kiramal, Kuruini, Malapari, Marabahai, Mempari, Naktamala, Papar, Pitagoria, Ponga, Pongam, Pongu, Poonga oil plant, Thinwin, Ungu, Vesivesi Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia, Burma, China, Fiji [Polynesia], India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Fuelwood, Furniture, Light construction, Tool handles, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes, Wheels Heartwood Color Yellow Brown Green/grey Orange Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Greenish to greyish Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Same as heartwood Grain Figure Interlocked Distinct (figure) Mottled (figure) Interlocked Mottled figure Distinct figure Texture Fine Medium Medium Fine to medium Coarse Luster Slightly lustrous Dull Natural Durability Durable Perishable Moderately durable Non-durable Resistant to marine borers Resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Non durable Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Perishable Drying Defects Severe end splitting Severe twisting/warping Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderately Difficult to Difficult Difficult Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Polishing Fair to Good Results Staining Staining (Characteristic) = coloured water-soluble extract Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = hard Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7711 12078 psi Density 49 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2318 lbs Impact Strength 47 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2850 4909 psi Shearing Strength 2205 psi Stiffness 1341 1560 1000 psi Weight 48 38 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 542 849 kg/cm2 Density 785 kg/m3 Hardness 1051 kg Impact Strength 119 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 200 345 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 155 kg/cm2 Stiffness 94 109 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 769 608 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % References Bourdillon, T.F.,1908,The Forest Trees of Travancore,Travancore Government Press Browne, F.G.,1955,Forest Trees of Sarawak and Brunei and their Products.,Government Printing Office, Kuching, Sarawak Burgess, P.F.,1966,Timbers of Sabah,Sabah Forest Record, no.6 Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15 E.H. Walker,1954,Important Trees of the Ryukyu Islands,United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands Special Bulletin,No. 3 Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Mathauda, G.S.,1955,Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre (syn. Pongamia glabra Vent,Family -,Leguminosae - Papilionoae,Indian Forester 81(9) pp563-5 McCann, C.,1947,Trees of India: A Popular Handbook,D.B.Taraporevala Sons & Co. Bombay Nazma,1981,A handbook of Kerala Timbers,Kerala Forest Research Institute Research Report, No.9 Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols Ramesh, Rao K., Purkayastha, S.K.,1972,Indian Woods - Their Identification Properties and Uses,Dehra Dun India,Vol. 3 Rocafort, J.E., Et al,1971,Fourth Progress Report on the Specific Gravity of Philippine Woods,(Reprint From) Philippine Architecture Engineering and Construction Record,No.5 pp17-27 Whitmore, T.C. (Ed.,1972,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 1,Forest Department Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Malaysia