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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 Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Turning Weathering Scientific Name Geissois benthami Trade Name Brush mahogany Family Name Cunoniaceae Synonyms Weinmannia benthami Common Names Brush mahogany, Leatherjacket, Marara, Mountain cedar, Red bean, Red carabeen, Red carrabeen, Red carrobean, Tile seed Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia Common Uses Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Plywood, Turnery, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Red Pale red to pink Brown Pale brown Dark brown Reddish brown Red Sapwood Color Yellow Green/Grey White White to yellow Grain Even Figure Straight Interlocked Distinct (figure) Weak (figure) Straight Weak figure Interlocked Distinct figure Texture Fine Fine Natural Growth Defects Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Non-resistant to marine borers Non durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Weathering Excellent Light-Induced Color Change Lighter Toxicity Some toxic effects Kiln Schedules Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Slight collapse and honeycomb Moderate surface checking Moderate collapse and honeycombing Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Reconditioning Treatement Kiln Drying Rate Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is severe Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Nailing Easy to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Routing is difficult Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Polishing Fair to Good Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 40 lbs/ft3 Weight 39 31 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 641 kg/m3 Weight 624 496 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % References Anderson, R.H.,1947,The Trees of New South Wales,New South Wales Department of Agriculture Audas, J.W.,Native Trees of Australia,Whitcombe & Tombs PTY. Ltd Australia - N.S.W. Forestry Commission,1968,Working Properties of some Native and Imported Timbers,Forestry Commission of New South Wales, Technical Publication No.8 Australia - N.S.W. Forestry Commission,1988,Furniture Timbers of New South Wales,Forest Commission, N.S.W., Aust. Tech. Publication No.1 Boas, I.H.,1947,The Commercial Timbers of Australia - Their Properties and Uses,Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Melbourne Bootle, K.R.,1971,The Commercial Timbers of New South Wales and their use,Angus & Robertson (publishers) PTY Ltd Francis, W.D.,1951,Australian Rain-forest Trees,Commonwealth of Australia - Forestry and Timber Bureau