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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 Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Ptaeroxylon obliquum Trade Name Nieshout Family Name Sapindaceae Synonyms Ptaeroxylon utile Common Names Nieshout, O paco, Paco, Sneezewood, Umbengawahonye, Umnembu, Umpahla, Umpandula, Umtati Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] South Africa, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Ladders, Mathematical instruments, Musical instruments, Piling, Posts, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts Heartwood Color Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Reddish brown Sapwood Color White to yellow Well defined Different than heartwood Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Wavy Even Closed Growth rings (figure) Straight Other (figure) Wavy Distinct figure Straight Other figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Fine Luster Medium Natural Durability Durable Susceptible to insect attack Moderately durable Resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Very durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Kiln Schedules Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Moderate surface checking Ease of Drying Easy Kiln Drying Rate Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Gluing is often difficult Nailing Possible if prebored Planing Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Screwing Possible if prebored Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Varnishing Satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Max. crushing strength = very high Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 13576 20956 psi Density 60 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2940 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 8467 11767 psi Shearing Strength 3072 psi Stiffness 2167 2494 1000 psi Weight 59 47 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 954 1473 kg/cm2 Density 961 kg/m3 Hardness 1333 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 595 827 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 215 kg/cm2 Stiffness 152 175 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 945 753 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % 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 Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2 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 Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36 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 Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13