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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Cedrela toona

Trade Name
Toon

Family Name
Meliaceae

Synonyms
Toona australis, Toona surenii, Cedrela febrifuga, Cedrela toona

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Australian cedar, Australian red cedar, Australian red-cedar, Belandi, Bobich, Burm, Burma cedar, Cedre rouge, Cedro, Chikado, Devdari, Drawi, Epi, Goria nim, Grawa, Henduri poma, Horeni, Huruk, Indian cedar, Ingoe, Kalkilingi, Kapere, Kashitka, Katangai, Kempu gandagheri, Ki beureum, Kujya, Kuruk, Ladet, Linoe, Lud, Madagiri vembu, Mafus, Maha limbu, Mahalimo, Mahanim, Maharim, Mahlun, Mali, Moulmein cedar, Moulmem cedar, Mufus, Ni, Noge, Poma, Queensland red cedar, Red cedar, Redani, Sandani vembu, Shuruzbed, Simal, Soeren, Somso, Soren, Suli, Suntang putch, Tawtama, Thitkado, Todu, Toon, Toona, Tseekado, Tundu, Tuni, Vedi vembu, Yom hom, Yomhom, Yomhorm, Youhom, Youhorm

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Australia, Burma, Hawaii [US], India, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda

Common Uses
Baskets, Bedroom suites, Bent Parts, Blinds, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Cigar boxes, Clogs, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Mine timbers, Model airplanes, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Ornamental work , Packing cases, Paneling , Paneling, Planks, Plywood, Poles, Pulp/Paper products, Shingles, Shutters, Sporting Goods, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Windows

Environmental Profile

Abundant/Secure

Rare

Secure in many areas of its range

Distribution Overview
India and Burma as well as scattered in evergreen and moist, mixed deciduous forests throughout Southeast Asia including Australia.

Heartwood Color

Yellow

Brown

Orange

Green/grey

Red

Grey

Reddish brown

Red

Pale red to pink

Dark brown

The heartwood is pale brown, cedar brown, dark red brown, or brick red when first cut. It darkens upon exposure to a rich reddish brown with darker brown streaks

Sapwood Color

White

Yellow

Red

White to yellow

Paler than heartwood

Grain

Straight

Figure

Interlocked

Closed

Even

Distinct (figure)

Growth rings (figure)

Wavy

Other (figure)

Straight

Interlocked

Distinct figure

Clear growth rings (figure)

Wavy

Straight to interlocked

Other figure

Quartersawn surfaces are reported to show fiddleback or ribbon-like figures.

Texture

Medium

Fine

Coarse

Coarse

Medium to coarse

Uneven

The texture is moderately close

Luster

Lustrous

Natural Growth Defects

Whitish deposits in vessels

Essels are often filled with gummy deposits.

Natural Durability

Non-durable

Perishable

Durable

Moderately durable

Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present

Non durable

Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack

Moderately resistant to decay

The wood is moderately resistant to attack by insects, but is susceptible to attack by drywood termites, Anobium borers, and Lyctus. In Australia, trees are often attacked by Hypsipyla robusta . Plantation material has very little natural resistance to attack by decay fungi

Odor
The wood has a strong, fragrant, long-lasting spicy odor. It has no characteristic taste.

Light-Induced Color Change

Darker

Toxicity

Dermatitic effects

Kiln Schedules

Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid

Drying (speed) is fast

Dry at a slow speed

Drying Defects

Discoloration

Distortion

Moderate twist/warp

Moderate cupping

Slight surface checking

Moderate collapse and honeycombing

Slight cupping

Slight collapse and honeycomb

Collapse

Collapse may be quite appreciable, especially near knots, but the wood can be reconditioned. The trees are usually girdled and quickly converted after harvesting to avoid degrade

Ease of Drying

Rapidly

Reconditioning Treatement

Fairly Easy

Easy

Moderate

Dries at a fairly rapid rate

The wood should be kiln dried and allowed to condition while spacing stickers closely and weighting the stacks

Kiln Drying Rate

Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is buttressed

Bole/stem form is straight

Bole/stem form is cylindrical

Bole/stem form is fluted

Tree Size

Tree height is 10-20 m

Tree height is 0-10 m

Tree height is 40-50 m

Certified Source

Certified Source

Comments
Brittleheart and tension wood may be present

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect

Moderate

Blunting effect on machining is slight

Blunting effect on machining is moderate

Boring

Fairly easy to very easy

Fair to good results

Carving

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Very Good to Excellent Results

Good carving qualities

Cutting Resistance

Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy

Easy to saw

Plantation material saws easily, but growth stresses can cause end-splitting and springing in logs

Gluing

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Fair to Good Results

Moderate gluing properties

Glues satisfactorily

Easy to glue

Mortising

Fair to Good Results

Moulding

Poor to Very Poor Results

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Movement in Service

Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement

Stable

Nailing

Fair to Good Results

Pre-Boring Recommended

Holds satisfactorily

Easy to nail

Planing

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Slight dulling of cutters

Ease of planing is moderate

Very sharp cutting edges are recommended for best results in machining quartersawn material

Resistance to Impregnation

Permeable sapwood

Resistant heartwood

Resistant sapwood

Sapwood is permeable

Heartwood is resistant

Heartwood is permeable

Sapwood is moderately resistant

Heartwood is moderately resistant

Heartwood is extremely resistant

Heartwood permeability varies from permeable to resistant to impregnation

Response to Hand Tools

Easy to machine

Sanding

Good sanding finish

Some material may produce a woolly finish

Screwing

Fair to Good Results

Pre-boring recommended

Easy to screw

Screwing yields satisfactory results

Fair screwing qualities (expect < 70% of screwed pieces to be free from complete splits)

Turning

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Fair to Good Results

Poor to Very Poor Results

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Good results

Easy to turn

Veneering Qualities
Pieces sliced into veneers are reported to often have a fine silver-grain ray figure

Steam Bending

Fair to Good Results

Poor

Painting

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fair to Good Results

The material takes both water and oil-based paints well.

Polishing

Fair to Good Results

Good results

Satisfactory results

Staining

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Stains well

Finish is generally satisfactory

Varnishing

Very Good to Excellent Results

Strength Properties

Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low

Bending strength (MOR) = low

Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.

Max. crushing strength = low

Shrinkage, Radial = very small

Shrinkage, Radial = small

Max. crushing strength = medium

Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.

Shrinkage, Tangential = very small

Shrinkage, Tangential = small

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low

Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low

Hardness (side grain) = very soft

Hardness (side grain) = soft

Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.

Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft.

Weight = medium

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high

Hardness = medium

Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low

Bending strength (MOR) = high

The wood has high density and resists denting and marring about as well as white oak or birch

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	7003	11071	psi
Density		33	lbs/ft3
Hardness		802	lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength	3522	5542	psi
Shearing Strength		1159	psi
Stiffness	1120	1346	1000 psi
Specific Gravity	0.38	0.47
Weight	31	25	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	3		%
Tangential Shrinkage	5		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	11		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	492	778	kg/cm2
Density		528	kg/m3
Hardness		363	kg
Maximum Crushing Strength	247	389	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		81	kg/cm2
Stiffness	78	94	1000 kg/cm2
Specific Gravity	0.38	0.47
Weight	496	400	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	3		%
Tangential Shrinkage	5		%

References
Ali, M.O., Yakub, M.D. and Bhattacharjee, D.K.,1972,Physical and mechanical properties of Toon, Bhadi and Eucalyptus,Bangladesh FRI, Chittagong Bulletin 3 Timber Physics Series

Australia - N.S.W. Forestry Commission,1988,Furniture Timbers of New South Wales,Forest Commission, N.S.W., Aust. Tech. Publication No.1

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

Boas, I.H.,1947,The Commercial Timbers of Australia - Their Properties and Uses,Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Melbourne

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1976,The Mechanical Properties of 81 New Guinea Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Res. Tec.Paper (2nd series) 11

Bolza, E.,1975,Properties and Uses of 175 Timber Species from Papua New Guinea and West,Irian,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Research Report,no.34

Bootle, K.R.,1971,The Commercial Timbers of New South Wales and their use,Angus & Robertson (publishers) PTY Ltd

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Cameron, S.,1945,Some Notes on Utilisation of Timbers in the South-West Pacific,New Zealand Journal of Forestry Volume 5(2) 117-127

Carrapiett, J.B.,1960,Notes on ornamental timbers of Burma,Burmese Forester,10(1,pp37-53

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Da Costa, E.W.B., Osborne, L.D.,1967,Comparative decay resistance of 26 New Guinea timber species in,accelerated laboratory tests,Comm. Forestry Review 46(1) pp63-74

Desch, H.E.,1948,The Cedars,Wood 13(2) pp40-3

EcoTimber International, San Francisco, California. Personal Communication, 1993.

Eddowes, P. J. 1977. Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea - Their Properties and Uses. Forest Products Research Center, Office of Forests, Department of Primary Industry, Papua New Guinea.

Eddowes, P.J.,1977,Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea: Their Properties and Uses,Hebano Press, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Gay, F.J., Et al,1955,Standard laboratory colonies of termites for evaluating the resistance of,timber, timber preservatives and other materials to termite attack.,C.S.I.R.O., Australia Bulletin,No.277

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

Kraemer, J.H.,1951,Trees of the Western Pacific Region,West Lafayette, Indiana U.S.A.

Limaye, V. D. 1954. Grouping of Indian Timbers and their Properties, Uses and Suitability. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 2, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India.

Limaye, V. D. and B. R. Sen. 1956. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 4. Manager of Publications (Publisher, Delhi.

Lincoln, W. A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Company, Inc., Fresno, California.

McCoy-Hill, M.,1954,Timbers of Tanganyika - Brachylaena hutchinsii and Pterocarpus angolensis,Timber Technology,62(2185, p559

Papua New Guinea Department of Forests,1972,New Horizons,Forestry in Papua New Guinea,Jacaranda Press PTY Ltd, Brisbane

Poynton, R.J.,1957,Notes on Exotic Forest Trees in South Africa (Second Edition, Revised,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.38

Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1

Sono, P.,1974,Merchantable Timbers of Thailand.,Forest Products Research Division, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok,,Thailand.

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

Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6

The Ecological Trading Company Limited (ETC, Newcastle upon Tyre, United Kingdom.

Troup, R.S. 1909. Indian Woods and Their Uses. The Indian Forest Memoirs, Economic Products Series, Volume 1, No. 1. Superintendent, Government Printing, Calcutta, India.

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