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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 Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Planing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Albizia antunesiana Trade Name Buwa Family Name Leguminosae Common Names Buwa, Chisale, Kawizi, Mgando, Mgando-kagua, Mgando-kaguba, Mpefu, Msaku, Msase, Mudyahumba, Muga, Mugaranyenze, Mukese, Mukoso, Mukwanga, Munganyama, Muninga-kagua, Musase, Mututuma, Muvinyimo, Pepe, Purple-leaved albizia, Umnonjwana, Umugando Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Tanzania, Zimbabwe Common Uses Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative Distribution Overview The tree occurs throughout Zambia, as well as in a belt across Central Africa, from DR Congo and Angola, to Tanzania and Mozambique. Heartwood Color Purple Brown Red Black Purple Reddish brown Pale brown Dark brown Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Grain Figure Interlocked Other (figure) Closed Wavy Stripe (figure) Interlocked Other figure Wavy Striped figure Texture Medium Coarse Fine Medium Medium to coarse Fine Coarse Luster Low Dull Natural Growth Defects Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Very durable Resistant to termites Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately durable Toxicity Some toxic effects Unspecified toxicity Respiratory effects Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Slowly Easy Difficult Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Product Sources The timber is highly limited in its uses locally because it has very little resistance to decay. It is valued for its strength and form, which are highly suitable for use as piling. Blunting Effect High to severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Fairly easy to very easy Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Mortising Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finishes well Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Stable Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to nail Easy to nail Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Turning Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to turn Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Strength Properties Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity = moderate Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9310 14566 psi Density 39 lbs/ft3 Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 2205 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 38 32 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 654 1024 kg/cm2 Density 624 kg/m3 Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 155 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 608 512 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References Bois, P.J.,1959,The Machining Properties of Albizzia antunesiana (Muninga-Kagua,Tanzania For Dept. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note,No.16 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 Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi Duff, C.E.,1944,Termite Resistance Test on the Copperbelt of Northern Rhodesia,Empire Forestry Journal,23(2,pp160-2 Fanshawe, D.B.,1962,Fifty Common Trees of Northern Rhodesia,Natural Resources Board and Forestry Department, Ndola Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Howard, J.A.C.,1962,Albizia antunesiana - A Useful Timber Tree of Western Tanganyika,East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal,28(2,pp110-2 Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5 Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Oxford School of Forestry Pardy, A.A.,1952,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia - Albizzia antunesiana,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1603 Storrs, A.E.G.,1979,Know your Trees - Some of the Common Trees found in Zambia,Zambia Forestry Department, Ndola Tanzania Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14 White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London