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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 Schedules Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Pteleopsis myrtifolia Trade Name Enleva Family Name Combretaceae Synonyms Pteleopsis varifolia Common Names Enleva, Makwengi, Makwenzi, Mbilibili, Menangara, Mepaupera, Mepepera, Mgofu, Mhovu, Mkaraka, Mlakwenzi, Mlindi, Mnepa, Mogoru, Mparu, Msonsole, Mssimossole, Mufundabalu, Muliakwenzi, Mungoloze, Murrepa, Musikanyembe, Mussunganhemba, Musunganayemba, Musungawadzimba, Mwindi, Sunganhemba, Two winged pteleopsis, Umsunganyama, Wa nyangwe Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe Common Uses Cabinetmaking, Decks, Flooring, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Musical instruments, Plywood, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Reddish brown Greenish to greyish Brown Grain Interlocked Figure Even Straight Growth rings (figure) Distinct (figure) Interlocked Straight Distinct figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Coarse Medium Fine Luster Low Natural Growth Defects Whitish deposits in vessels Natural Durability Moderately durable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Non durable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately resistant to marine borer attack Toxicity Some toxic effects Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Slight surface checking Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Movement in Service Stable Nailing Possible if prebored Easy to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Satisfactory results Varnishing Satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Hardness (side grain) = very hard Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 47 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2940 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Shearing Strength 2847 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 46 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 753 kg/m3 Hardness 1333 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 200 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 737 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % References Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa. 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 Barreto, L.S.,1967,Madeiras de Mocambique - Estrutura do Lenho,Universitarios de Mocambique Serie, 1 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 Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi Ferreirinha, M.P.,1955,Catalogo des Madeiras de Mocambique (pt 1,Min. do Ultramar Junta Invest. do Ultranar Memorias Serie Botanica, 2 Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 McCoy-Hill, M.,1955,Timbers of Tanganyika - Mulugu and Mkaraka,Timber Technology,63(2187, p20 Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. 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 Tanzania Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14 Tanzania Forest Division,1967,The Weights and Shrinkage of some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sect. Technical Note,No.25 Timber Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28 White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London