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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
Numerical Data
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing

Scientific Name
Trilepisium madagascariense

Trade Name
Kakunze

Family Name
Moraceae

Synonyms
Bosqueia angolensis, Bosqueia phoberos, Bosqueia welwitschii


Common Names
Kakunze, Kalanda, Katomatoma, Lubelagaiyi, Lubelakaya, Mbaki bakie, Mbalakaya, Mkballakaya, Mlandege, Mlanyuni, Mmle, Mugwi, Mukobakoba, Mukunze, Mulamba, Munyabweya, Mupelenge, Nsabi, Okuri, Omukumbwe, Pakye pakyee

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zaire, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Model airplanes, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Veneer: decorative

Heartwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Green/grey
Red
Pink
Orange
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
White to cream
Red
Purple
Pale red to pink
Pale brown
Brown


Sapwood Color
Brown
Yellow
White
Same as heartwood
White to yellow
Well defined


Grain
Figure
Growth rings (figure)

Clear growth rings (figure)


Texture
Medium
Fine
Medium
Medium to coarse
Fine to medium
Fine


Luster
Medium
High


Natural Durability
Perishable
Moderately durable
Non-durable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Susceptible to insect attack
Perishable
Non durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)


Kiln Schedules
UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Checking
Slight surface checking
Slight end splitting


Ease of Drying
Easy


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is misshapen


Tree Size
Tree height is 10-20 m


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Moderate to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy


Gluing
Easy to glue


Movement in Service
Medium


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to nail


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Heartwood is permeable
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is moderately resistant


Resistance to Splitting
Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Easy to machine


Screwing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Difficult to screw


Turning
Poor results


Painting
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Good results


Varnishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Max. crushing strength = low
Max. crushing strength = high
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1037616163psi
Density36lbs/ft3
Hardness801lbs
Impact Strength27inches
Maximum Crushing Strength40896549psi
Shearing Strength1221psi
Stiffness161618721000 psi
Weight3528lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength7291136kg/cm2
Density576kg/m3
Hardness363kg
Impact Strength68cm
Maximum Crushing Strength287460kg/cm2
Shearing Strength85kg/cm2
Stiffness1131311000 kg/cm2
Weight560448kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%

References
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

Forest Products Research Laboratory, Nigeria,1965,Nigerian Timbers for Matchmaking,Nigeria Fed. Department of Forest Research, Ibadan, Forest Products,Research Laboratory Report No.5

Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim

France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France

Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9

Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London

Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5

Logan, W.E.M.,1946,An Introduction to the Forests of Central and Southern Ethiopia,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford Paper No.24

Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23

Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim

Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda

Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1

United Kingdom - H.M.S.O.,1954,Report of the Matchwood Working Party,H.M.S.O. for the Board of Trade and Ministry of Materials

Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya