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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. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Luster Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Scientific Name Castanopsis cuspidata Trade Name Berangan Family Name Fagaceae Common Names Berangan, Chinese chestnut, Indian chestnut, Philippine chestnut, Thite Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] China, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines Common Uses Balusters, Bent Parts, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Ceiling, Chairs, Chests, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Drawer sides, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Fine furniture, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Hatracks, Interior construction, Kitchen cabinets, Living-room suites, Millwork, Office furniture, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Utility furniture, Wainscotting, Wardrobes Environmental Profile The environmental status of this species within its geographical boundaries has not been officially determined. Distribution Overview In Japan: Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Ryukyu. Also in Korea and other areas in Southeast Asia. Heartwood Color Yellowish brown Dark brown Color varies considerably Brown - grayish Sapwood Color The sapwood is yellowish or light brown, and is occasionally clearly defined Grain Even Straight Interlocked Occasionally interlocked, but not always Generally straight, but not always Texture Coarse Luster The freshly-cut wood may have a lustrous surface Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Heartwood susceptible to termites Odor No specific smell or taste Drying Defects Wood with boxed pith may end-split during drying Ease of Drying Dries well Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Comments The timber is reported to split rather easily Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Planing Good planing properties Resistance to Impregnation Sapwood is permeable Difficult to treat with preservatives Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to Work Easy to machine Polishing Berangan timbers are reported to take a high polish Strength Properties Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium It is closer in strength to Mahogany than either Teak or White oak, which have higher bending strength and is very dense Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 10359 psi Density 37 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 5640 psi Stiffness 1264 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.46 Weight 31 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 728 kg/cm2 Density 592 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 396 kg/cm2 Stiffness 88 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.46 Weight 496 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References Chudnoff, M. 1980. Tropical Timbers of the World. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 607, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Desch, H. E. 1957. Manual of Malayan Timbers - Volume I. Malayan Forest Records, No. 15. Malaya Publishing House Ltd., Singapore.