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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 Carving 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 Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Abrasion Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Silica Content Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Cynometra alexandri Trade Name Muhimbi Family Name Leguminosae Common Names Angu, Baira, Bapa, Bosengere, Kahimbi, Kampiniungu, Lukuanga, Mbombele, Mubale, Mubangu, Mubindi, Mudindi, Muhimbi, Muhindi, Mupombe, Tembwe, Uganda ironwood, Utuna Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Central African Republic, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Barge fenders, Beams, Bedroom suites, Boards, Boat building (general), Boat building, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Crossties, Decks, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Dressed boards, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Harbor work, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders , Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lumber, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Piling, Plywood corestock, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Shade rollers, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Wharf construction Environmental Profile Rare Status has not been officially assessed Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview Central and East Africa, usually representing a somewhat dry type of forest, but not uncommon as a constituent of forest swamps, normally gregarious. Heartwood Color Brown Red Pink Purple Reddish brown Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Red Pale red to pink Initially pink brown Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color Green/Grey White Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Paler than heartwood White to yellow Straw colored to grayish-white Turns pale yellow upon exposure. Average width is about 2 to 3 inches (5.0 to 7.5 cm) Grain Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Even Mottle Interlocked Distinct figure Straight Mottled or streaked figure sometimes The wood usually exhibits a silvery figure. Texture Medium Fine Fine Luster Medium High High Dull Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to termites Perishable Non-resistant to marine borers Moderately durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Very durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworm (ambrosia beetle) attack may be present in the standing tree Felled logs are not resistant to attack by Pinworm (ambrosia beetle) Susceptible to marine borer attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately durable Natural resistance of heartwood to decay varies from average to very high. The wood is highly resistant to termites in East Africa. It is occasionally attacked by pinhole borers and longhorn beetles, but is immune to attack by Lyctus species. Odor No specific smell or taste Silica Content High Siliceous Light-Induced Color Change Darker Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 T2 - C2 (4/4); T2 - C1 (8/4) US Schedule B (4/4) United Kingdom Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Drying Defects Distortion Checking Moderate end spitting Moderate surface checking Severe surface checking Severe end splitting Moderate twist/warp Slight twist/warp Severe twisting/warping End splitting The material may surface-check, and existing shakes may extend. There is also a slight risk of distortion Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Tangenital shrinkage from 4-7% Requires slow and careful seasoning to prevent degrade. Radial shrinkage 0-3% Dries slowly Difficult Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is misshapen Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Bark width is 15-20 mm Tree height is 20-30 m With a bole that is seldom longer than 40 feet (12 m) Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced in negligible quantities and exported only occasionally. Comments Deposits - An occasional white, chalky deposits are present near scar tissues which are usually found along the grain General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Tungsten-Tipped cutters have been recommended Boring Fairly difficult to very difficult Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Difficult All drills cause some burning, and deposition of gum is troublesome. Two-wing twist flutes are most suitable for boring the wood. Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Fairly difficult to carve Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Wood exhibits tendency to burn during narrow bandsawing Difficult to saw It exerts severe blunting effect on cutters, and build-up of resin on saw teeth is very common. Plate saws, two gauges thicker than standard, are recommended to avoid tooth vibration Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderate gluing properties Easy to glue Difficult to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to mortise Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Moulding Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Difficult to mould Use of a French head produces the least tearing, but feeding effort is high Movement in Service Medium Stability is rated as medium Shape retention after manufacture is usually good Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Difficult to nail Pre-Boring is necessary Holds nails well Planing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to plane Planes well, to a good finish A cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended to prevent tearing and to obtain a good finish. Cutting edges must be kept sharp to counteract the blunting effect of the wood, and to keep the timber from riding on cutters. Resistance to Abrasion Highly resistant to wear Good for flooring Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is very resistant The heartwood varies from moderately resistant to resistant to impregnation Resistance to Splitting Very Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Difficult to machine Moderate working qualities Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Routing is difficult Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to turn Good results Veneering Qualities No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Diifficult to veneer Steam Bending Moderate Good Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory