Search for  
 
 
top

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

Wood Image 1

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.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low

Toughness (total work) = medium

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength746212743psi
Crushing Strength5341024psi
Density33lbs/ft3
Hardness842lbs
Impact Strength28inches
Maximum Crushing Strength38686919psi
Shearing Strength1789psi
Static Bending41367918psi
Stiffness145717151000 psi
Toughness225inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load1217inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.37
Weight3226lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength524895kg/cm2
Crushing Strength3771kg/cm2
Density528kg/m3
Hardness381kg
Impact Strength71cm
Maximum Crushing Strength271486kg/cm2
Shearing Strength125kg/cm2
Static Bending290556kg/cm2
Stiffness1021201000 kg/cm2
Toughness259cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.841.19cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.37
Weight512416kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%

References
Alston, A.S.,1966,Natural Heartwood Durability,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No. 2

Alston, A.S.,1982,Timbers of Fiji: Properties and potential uses,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1972,The Mechanical Properties of 56 Fijian Timbers,Australia C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.,62

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods -Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Budgen, B.,1981,Shrinkage and density of some Australian and South-East Asian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Div. building Res. Tech Paper(2nd Series) No.38

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London

Eddowes, P. J. 1961. Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea:Their Properties and Uses. Office of Forests, Papua New Guinea

Fiji Department of Forestry,1969,A Summary of the Properties of 34 Indigenous Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.38

Fiji Department of Forestry,1972,Guide to the use of local timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.55

Fiji Forestry Department,1966,The Properties and Potential uses of Dakua makadre (Agathis vitiensis) A,Summary of C.S.I.R.O. Investigations,Fiji Timbers and Their Uses No.8, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji

Fiji Forestry Department,1967,The Properties and Potential Uses of Buabua (Fagraea gracilipes) A Summary,of C.S.I.R.O. Investigations,Fiji Timbers and their Uses No. 14, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji

Fiji Forestry Department,1981,The Properties and Uses of 43 Indigenous and Exotic Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Fiji Timbers and their Uses No.71

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

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

Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

U.K. - Colonial Forest Resources Development Department,1939,British Colonial Timbers - Woods recommended for Various Uses,Colonial Forest Resources Development Department,London









Search the web for anything relating to wood and forest products.

























Search the web for anything relating to wood and forest products.