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Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Light-Induced Color Change Luster Movement in Service Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Thespesia populnea Trade Name Asha Family Name Malvaceae Synonyms Hibiscus populneus Common Names Asha, Banalo, Baru, Baru-baru, Bebaru, Bendi gangareni, Bhendi, Bois de rose, Bugari, Catalpa, Cheelanthi, Chilanthi, Clemon, Cork tree, Daleni, Dumbla, Eijan, Emajaguilla, Faux bois de rose, Fref, Gangarava, Hurvashi, Kabaoui, Kavarachu, Majagua de Florida, Milo, Parash, Parsipu, Poovarasu, Porassu, Poresh, Poris, Portia pursa, Portia tree, Purasia, Pursong, Puvarachu, Puvarasam, Santa maria, Seaside mahoe, Suriya portia, Tulip tree, Umbrella tree Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Burma, Hawaii [US], India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chemical derivatives, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: woodworking tools, Heavy construction, Light construction, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Oars, Poles, Railroad ties, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes, Wheels Heartwood Color Brown Reddish brown Dark brown Purple Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure Sapwood Color White to yellow Pinkish Well defined Paler than heartwood Grain Interlocked Figure Straight Stripe (figure) Even Rippled (figure) Interlocked Straight Striped figure Rippled figure Texture Medium Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster Medium Dull Slightly lustrous Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Very durable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Light-Induced Color Change Darker Drying Defects No twisting or warping No surface checking Ease of Drying Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Bark width is 0-5 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Bark width is 5-10 mm Tree height is 10-20 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Moderate gluing properties Movement in Service Small Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Turning Easy to turn Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = small Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 44 lbs/ft3 Impact Strength 64 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5408 8171 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 43 34 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 705 kg/m3 Impact Strength 162 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 380 574 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 689 544 kg/m3 References Blatter, E., Millard, W.S.,1937,Some Beautiful Indian Trees,John Bale, Sons & Cornow Ltd, London 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 Chowdhury, K.A., Ghosh, S.S.,1958,Indian Woods: Their identification, properties and uses Vol. I,Dilleruaceae to Elaeocarpaceae,Manager of Publications, Delhi, India 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 Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1 Little, E.L., Wadsworth, F.H.,1964,Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.249 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 Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7 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 Sarlin, P.,1954,Bois et forets de la Nourelle Caledoiue,C.T.F.T. Publication 6 Sekhar, A.C.,1967,Some Indian Timbers Equivalent to Foreign Timbers,Van Vigyan 5(1&2,pp18-24 Skolmen, R.G.,1974,Some woods of Hawaii, properties and uses of 16 commercial species,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest,and Range Experiment Station, General Technical Report PSW_8 Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford Whitmore, T.C. (Ed.,1972,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 1,Forest Department Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Malaysia