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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 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 Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Cryptomeria japonica Trade Name Sugi Family Name Taxodiaceae Common Names Cryptomeria, Japanese cedar, Sugi, Suji Regions of Distribution Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] China, India, Japan, South Africa, Sri Lanka Common Uses Balusters, Bedroom suites, Blinds, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Fishnet floats, Floats, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lock gates, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plain veneer, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk) Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview Japan & Taiwan. In Japan it occurs naturally in pure and mixed stands from Kyushu to N Honshu at elevations to 400 m. In Taiwan, the distribution includes Xinchu Xian: Sheipa National Park; Ilan Xian: Yuanyanghu Nature Preserve; Nantou Xian: Xitou Forest Recreation Area; Xinchu Xian: Yuanyanghu Natural Preserved Area; at elevations of 900-2500 m in plantations and in association with Tsuga, Pinus and Fagaceae species. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Orange Green/grey Red Black Purple Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown Red Purple Pale red to pink Pale brown Sapwood Color Red Pink White Brown Yellow White to yellow Same as heartwood Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Grain Figure Closed Even Growth rings (figure) Straight Wavy Mottled (figure) Clear growth rings (figure) Straight Mottled figure May be wavy or curly Dark brown and yellow streaks form a wavy pattern on the surface of the timber and vertical parenchyma cells of resin, black in color impart luster to the wood. Texture Coarse Medium Resinous and oily Fine Medium Fine to medium Fine to coarse Coarse Luster Medium High Slightly lustrous Natural Growth Defects Latex or other ducts Natural Durability Very durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to powder post beetles Durable Resistant to powder post beetles Durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Perishable Moderately durable The wood has some resistance to attack by insects. Weathering Excellent Odor Has an odor No specific taste May have an odor Resin Content Contains resin Toxicity Some toxic effects Kiln Schedules T12 - E5 (4/4) US/T12 - E5 (4/4) US Drying Defects Checking Splitting Distortion Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting End splitting There is a pronounced tendency for the wood to check and split, especially in thicker sizes. Ease of Drying Slowly Moderately Difficult to Difficult Rapidly Moderate Easy Dries at a fairly rapid rate Partial air-seasoning has been recommended to precede kiln-drying Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Drying rate is slow Very slow Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries at a moderate speed Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 300-350 cm Tree height is 50-60 m Tree height is 60-70 m Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm Bole length is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Certified Source Certified Source Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect High to severe Moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Fairly difficult to very difficult Well defined Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Easy to saw Easy to saw Gluing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Mortising Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Moulding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Movement in Service Stable Stability is good Expect small movememt Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Satisfactory nailing properties Holds nails well Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Machined surfaces are fairly smooth Easy to use machine tools Easy to plane Respond rather well to sanding, turning, boring, moulding, knotty material may require some care Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to Work Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Screwing Pre-boring recommended Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Screwing yields good results Good screw holding properties Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Veneering Qualities No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Easy to cut Steam Bending Poor to Very Poor Results Unsuitable Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor Painting Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Surface Preparation Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Surface Preparation Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Stains well Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very low Work to Maximum Load = very low