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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
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength700311071psi
Density33lbs/ft3
Hardness802lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength35225542psi
Shearing Strength1159psi
Stiffness112013461000 psi
Specific Gravity0.380.47
Weight3125lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage11%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength492778kg/cm2
Density528kg/m3
Hardness363kg
Maximum Crushing Strength247389kg/cm2
Shearing Strength81kg/cm2
Stiffness78941000 kg/cm2
Specific Gravity0.380.47
Weight496400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

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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