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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 Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Agathis vitiensis Trade Name Fijian kauri Family Name Araucariaceae Common Names Dakua, Dakua makadre, Fiji kauri, Fijian kauri, Ndakua makandre Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji Common Uses Balusters, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: masts, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chemical containers, Coffins, Decks, Food containers, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Model airplanes, Moldings, Musical instruments, Oars, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Xylophones Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview A close relative of New Zealand Kauri (Agathis australis), the species grows in the Fiji islands. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow White Orange Red Pink Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown White to cream Pale brown Pinkish white Light brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red White to yellow Paler than heartwood Different than heartwood Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Even Figure Mottle Weak (figure) Generally straight, but not always Weak figure Mottled or streaked figure sometimes Texture Fine Even or uniform Fine Uniform Luster Medium High Often lustrous Lustrous Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Resistant to powder post beetles Perishable Non-resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to termites Sapwood not resistant to insect attack Non-resistant to termites Non durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack by marine borers and termites Sapwood is vulnerable to insect attack and tends to decay rapidly Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Perishable Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid T10 - D5s (4/4); T8 - D4s (8/4) US/T10 - D5s (4/4); T8 - D4s (8/4) US Drying Defects Collapse Distortion Discoloration Internal Honeycombing Possible Distortion (twist/warp) is likely Collapse and honeycomb in heartwood is possible due to mineral stains and wetwood. Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Medium to High Shrinkage Reconditioning Treatement Requires special attention Moderately Difficult to Difficult Stains easily Moderate Easy Dip treat with anti-stain solution soon after conversion and before stacking. Kiln Drying Rate Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Rapid Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Comments Abnormal Wood Tissue Blunting Effect Little Moderate There is some significant blunting effect on cutting tools Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Moderately easy Moderately easy Easy to bore but stock must be properly supported at the tool exit to prevent defects Carving Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to carve Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Low resistance to sawing Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderate gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finishes well Support material during mortising to prevent break out. Moulding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good moulding properties Good finishing results Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Stable Holds shape well Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Variable, from difficult to satisfactory Pre-boring recommended Holds nails well Easy to nail Difficult to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Sapwood has low permeability Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Easy to machine Responds well to hand tools Routing & Recessing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Routing is easy Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to sand Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Very good screw holding qualities Easy to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Easy to turn Difficult to turn Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Easy to cut Suitable for peeling Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Moderate Painting Fair to Good Results Little or no surface prep required Good results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results High polish Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Stains well Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.