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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. Blunting Effect Boring 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 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 Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Celtis africana Trade Name Akasinsa Family Name Ulmaceae Synonyms Celtis kraussiana, Celtis rhammifolia Common Names Akasinsa, Akasisa, Camdeboo, Camdeboo stinkwood, Celtis, Chekeleliliet, Chepkelelet, Gusotono, Huguru, Kamutuna, Kerrua, Kirundu, Lusa, Maset, Mastet, Mastitet, Mosididet, Mrinde, Mrunde, Msussu, Mugara, Muguru, Mukonachando, Mukyemogola, Murima, Murundu, Musvutaderere, Muzhunzhu, Mwessu, Mweye, Mweyu, Nyabinuka, Nyamunuka, Omusisa, South African stinkwood, Stinkwood, Tandimu, Tandimwa, Umdlautu, Umvumvu, White stinkwood, Witgatboom, Yisa Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Mine timbers, Moldings, Particleboard, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels Heartwood Color White to cream Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Pale brown Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color Same as heartwood Grain Straight Wavy Interlocked Figure Even Closed Distinct (figure) Growth rings (figure) Straight Wavy Interlocked Distinct figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Medium to coarse Coarse Medium Fine Luster High Medium Natural Durability Very durable Durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Perishable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles The sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to marine borer attack Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Splitting Checking Moderate twist/warp Slight end splitting Slight surface checking Moderate end spitting Slight cupping Ease of Drying Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 0-10 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Blunting Effect Blunting effect on sawing green wood is severe Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Boring Easy Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Movement in Service Medium Nailing Easy to nail Difficult to nail Planing Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Sanding Good sanding finish Screwing Pre-Boring is recommended in screwing Easy to screw Turning Poor results Easy to turn Steam Bending Very good Moderate Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = high Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Hard Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = mediun Bending strength (MOR) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 12662 19586 psi Density 44 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1986 lbs Impact Strength 54 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5408 8171 psi Shearing Strength 2852 psi Stiffness 1473 1701 1000 psi Weight 43 35 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 890 1377 kg/cm2 Density 705 kg/m3 Hardness 900 kg Impact Strength 137 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 380 574 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 200 kg/cm2 Stiffness 103 119 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 689 560 kg/m3 References 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 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75 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 Brehme, K., et al,1967,Timbers of Ethiopia No.8 African Celtis (Celtis kraussiana,Ethiopia Forest Research Institute, Haile Sellassie University, Addis,Ababa Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi Chile Maderero,1953,El Olivillo,Chile Madero 3(2) p4 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1952,General Tests carried out on 3 Timber Species - Brachystegia - boehmii,,isoberlinia, spiciformis,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Department of Scientific and,Industrial Research Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Hartwig, G.L.F.,1967,Flooring Timbers in South Africa,South African Builder,45(1,pp35-6 Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Loureiro, A.A., Freitas da Silva, M.,1968,Catalogo das Madeiras da Amazonia (2 vols,Min. do Ultramar Belem Brasil Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 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 Scott, M.H.,1948,Timber Seasoning in South Africa,South African Forestry Department South Africa Bulletin No.32 Scott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal] Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36 Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda 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 Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1 Uganda Forest Department,1957,Akasinsa (Celtis africana,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.32 Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47 White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya