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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 Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying 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 Painting Planing Plantation species? Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Gmelina arborea Trade Name Batinj Family Name Verbenaceae Synonyms Premna arborea, Gmelina arborea Common Names Batinj, Bolkobak, Chiman sag, Chimmar, Cummi, Et-demata, Gamar, Gamari, Gambari, Gamberi, Gaminea, Gamri, Gmelina, Gomari, Gumadi, Gumai, Gumar, Gumbar, Gumor tek, Gumudu, Kamare, Kambar, Kashmir tree, Kassamar, Khambhur, Khammara, Kuli, Kumara, Kumbar, Kumbil, Kumbulu, Kumiska, Kumlor, Kumor, Kumulu, Kurse, Kusmor, Kussamar, Le purplier d'Afrique, Mai-saw, Numbor, Peddagomru, Peoblu guma, Pokki, Ramani, Sag, Sewan, Shewari, Shivan, Shivani, Shivara, Shiwan, Summadi, Tagumuda, Taungnangyi, Thebla, Whiteteak, Yamane, Yemane Plantation species? Yes Regions of Distribution Africa, Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Belize, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Cooperages, Drawing boards, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Toys, Veneer Distribution Overview Native to tropical moist forest from India, Burma, and Sri Lanka to southern China, Gmelina is widely introduced, e.g. in Brazil, Gambia, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Malawi, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, and Sierra Leone. Estimated to range from Tropical Very Dry to Wet through Subtropical Very Dry to Wet Forest Life Zones, gmelina is reported or estimated to tolerate annual precipitation of 7 to 45 dm, annual temperature of 20 to 26°C, and pH of 6 to 8. It can tolerate a 6–7-month dry season. Grows on many soils, acidic laterites to calcareous loams, doing poorly on thin or poor soils with hardpan, dry sands, or heavily leached acidic soils, well-drained basic alluviums. Heartwood Color Yellow Orange White Red Pink Brown White to cream Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale red to pink Pale brown Reddish brown Sapwood Color Red Yellow White Same as heartwood White to yellow Well defined Pinkish Grain Figure Interlocked Stripe (figure) Wavy Even Closed Growth rings (figure) Rays (figure) Straight Interlocked Striped figure Wavy Clear growth rings (figure) Straight Rays figure Texture Medium Fine Medium coarse to coarse Medium Luster Lustrous Natural Growth Defects Whitish deposits in vessels Brittleheart is rare or absent. When present, it is sparse in amount Natural Durability Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-durable Non-resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to termites Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately durable Perishable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Durable Kiln Schedules UK=K US=T13C4S/T11D3S Dry at a slow speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying (speed) is fast Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Drying Defects Checking Splitting Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting Slight cupping No end splitting Moderate surface checking Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Rapidly Easy Kiln Drying Rate Rapid Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Naturally dries quickly Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Moderately easy Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Mortising Easy to mortise Finishes well Moulding Good finishing results Easy to mould Satisfactory moulding results Movement in Service Stable Small Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Difficult to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Difficult to turn Good results Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Veneers easily Suitable for peeling No drying degrade Veneers moderately easy Suitable for slicing Easy to cut No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Good gluing qualities No steaming needed during bolt preparation. Suitable for peeling Painting Good results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6617 10375 psi Density 29 lbs/ft3 Hardness 801 lbs Impact Strength 22 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3294 5529 psi Shearing Strength 1364 psi Stiffness 1096 1284 1000 psi Weight 28 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 465 729 kg/cm2 Density 464 kg/m3 Hardness 363 kg Impact Strength 55 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 231 388 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 95 kg/cm2 Stiffness 77 90 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 448 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Curran, C.E., Et al,1934,The pulping of cafeput (Melaleuca leucadendron, white mangrove,(Lagunculana racemosa, Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia, and,cunningham pine (Casuarina cunninghamiana) by the sulphate process,Paper Trade Journal Tappi Section 22 pp288-91 Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany Edmundo V. Cortes,1978,Wood Quality and Utilization of Yemane (Gmelina arborea,Wood quality and utilization of tropical species. Proceedings IUFRO,Conference held at FORPRIDECOM, Laguna, Oct.30-Nov.3, Tamolang, F.N (ed.,,297-304 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,Report on a consignment of Gmelina arborea Roxb. from Gambia.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Report on Overseas,Timbers No.7 Gua, B.E.,1988,Observation on timber samples of eighteen research and plantation species,Forest Research Note, Solomon Islands Forestry Division Number 53 21/88 Haslett, A.N.; Young, G.D. and Britton, R.A.J.,1991,Plantation grown Tropical Timbers. 2. Properties, Processing and Uses,Journal of Tropical Forest Science 3(3):229-237 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 Lamb, A.F.A.,1968,Gmelina arborea,C.F.I. Department of Forestry, Oxford University. Fast growing timber,trees of the Lowland tropics No.1 Meniado, J.A., Alonzo, D. and Tamolang, F.N.,1978,Wood Quality and Utilization of Philippine Plantation Species. III. Yemane,(Gmelina arborea Roxb.,Wood Quality and Utilization of tropical species. Proceedings IURFRO,Conference held at FORPRIDECOM, Laguna, Oct.30-Nov.3. Tamolang, F.N. (ed.) Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Palmer, E.R., Gibbs, J.A.,1974,Pulping Characteristics of Gmelina arborea and Bursera simaruba from,Belize,Trop. Prod. Inst. Report L36 Peh, T.B. and Khoo, K.C.,1984,Timber Properties of Acacia mangium, Gmelina arborea, Paraserianthes,falcataria and their utilization aspects.,The Malaysian Forester, Vol.47, No.4, pp.285-303. Poynton, R.J.,1957,Notes on Exotic Forest Trees in South Africa (Second Edition, Revised,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.38 Salleh, M.N. and W.C. Wong,1989,Utilization of Forest Plan