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Blunting Effect
Boring
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
Resin Content
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Albizia lebbeck

Trade Name
Lebbek

Family Name
Leguminosae

Synonyms
Mimosa sirissa


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Acacia, Acacia amarilla, Algarrobo de olor, Amor platonico, Aroma, Barba de Caballero, Bengha, Beymada, Black ebony, Cabello de venus, Chichola, Chinchula, Darshana, Dirasana, Dormilon, East Indian walnut, Frywood, Gachoda, Garso, Gokiru, Harreri, Hirih, Indian albizzia, Kal baghi, Kat vage, Kat vaghe, Kinhi, Kokko, Langil, Lebbeck, Lebbek, Lega, Mai-kokko, Mara, Pedda duchirram, Pruek, Samkesar, Sirai, Sirin, Siris, Siris tree, Sirisha, Sirsul, Tama-kai, Tibet, Tinia, Vaga, Vagei, Vaghe, Weru, West Indies ebony, Woman's tongue, Womans tongue tree, Womens tongue, Ye-ho-shu

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Central America, North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Australia, Belize, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Liberia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia Island [France], New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico [US], Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Generally secure within its natural habitat
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center


Distribution Overview
Indigenous to South-East Asia and Australia (including several regions in India, Bangladesh, the lower hill forests in Burma, and dry regions in Sri Lanka). It has been widely cultivated and is now pantropical. It grows well in areas with 600-2500 mm rain/year but tolerates as little as 300 mm. The altitudinal range is 0-1800 m and mean annual temperature 20-35ºC. Grows well on fertile, well-drained loamy soils but poorly on heavy clays. It tolerates acidity, alkalinity, heavy and eroded soils, and waterlogged soils. It is nitrogen-fixing, tolerant to drought and older trees can survive grass fires and intense night frost. While fire and frost will kill off aboveground growth of young trees, new growth will normally follow. A. lebbeck is also an introduced species elsewhere in the tropics, and can be found growing wild in Nigeria.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Black
Dark brown
Brown
Pale brown
Golden brown with a reddish cast


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Green/Grey
Red
White to yellow
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Paler than heartwood


Grain
Interlocked
Figure
Straight
Distinct (figure)
Wavy
Even
Closed
Other (figure)
Stripe (figure)

Interlocked
Generally straight, but not always
Wavy
Distinct and fine figure
Other figure
Distinct figure
Striped figure
Moderately to severely interlocked

The wood has heavily interlocked grain, which produces a ribbon figure on the radial surface. Vessel flecks are reported to produce a figured tangential surface that is similar to the lauans (Shorea spp.), but with more luster

Texture
Coarse
Medium
Coarse
Medium
Medium to coarse


Luster
Medium
High
Lustrous
Pronounced


Natural Durability
Moderately durable
Durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Very durable
Perishable
Non-resistant to marine borers
Resistant to termites
Non-resistant to termites
Non-durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Durable
Very durable
Susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack by marine borers and termites
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Non durable
Heartwood resistant to decay


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Resin Content
A reddish resin is present in the wood

Toxicity
Some toxic effects
Respiratory effects
Unspecified toxicity
Sawdust can cause irritation in some individuals


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
UK=E US=T6D2/T3D Fr=5
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid
Uk=F US=T6D4/T3D3 Fr=6
T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow


Drying Defects
Splitting
Checking
Distortion
Moderate end spitting
Moderate surface checking
Severe end splitting
Slight twist/warp


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Variable
Medium to High Shrinkage
Slowly
Requires special attention
Easy
Difficult
Variable results.
Moderate
Controlled drying conditions will prevent rapid drying and yield best results.


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast
Slow
Drying rate is slow
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 cylindrical


Tree Size
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 0-10 m


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory

Blunting Effect
Moderate
High to severe
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate
There is some significant blunting effect on cutting tools
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Material with interlocked grain can be difficult.
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory gluing properties
Glues well


Mortising
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Moulding
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Stable
Small
Holds shape well


Nailing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Variable, from difficult to satisfactory
Holds nails well


Planing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Difficult to plane
Advised to reduce cutting angle


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is moderately resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Difficult to machine
Easy to machine
Moderate working qualities


Routing & Recessing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Sanding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Good sanding finish
Easy to sand


Screwing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Screwing yields good results


Turning
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor results
Difficult to turn


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Veneers easily
Suitable for slicing
Veneers moderately easy
Easy to cut
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling


Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results
Good


Painting
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Good results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Surface Preparation
Very Good to Excellent Results
Satisfactory results
Good results
Surface treatment advised


Staining
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Finish is generally good


Varnishing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Max. crushing strength = high
Modulus of Elasticity = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Max. crushing strength = medium
Shrinkage, Volumetric = small
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Density (dry Weight) = >50 lbs/cu. ft
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength930814150psi
Density40lbs/ft3
Hardness1322lbs
Impact Strength2928inches
Maximum Crushing Strength54998824psi
Shearing Strength1918psi
Stiffness153818361000 psi
Work to Maximum Load88inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.480.52
Weight4539lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength654994kg/cm2
Density641kg/m3
Hardness599kg
Impact Strength7371cm
Maximum Crushing Strength386620kg/cm2
Shearing Strength134kg/cm2
Stiffness1081291000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load0.560.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.480.52
Weight721624kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

References
Arno, J. 1989. Albizia lebbeck - Lebbek. In A Guide to Useful Wood os the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 32-33.

Bodig, J. and B. A. Jayne. 1982. Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1956,Asamela (Afrormosia elata,Bios et Forets des Tropiques,No.50,pp17-20

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

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

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 3 Southern Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Carrapiett, J.B.,1960,Notes on ornamental timbers of Burma,Burmese Forester,10(1,pp37-53

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

Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough

Desch, H. E. 1957. Manual of Malayan Timbers - Volume I. Malayan Forest Records, No. 15. Malaya Publishing House Ltd., Singapore.

E.H. Walker,1954,Important Trees of the Ryukyu Islands,United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands Special Bulletin,No. 3

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1955,Kiln-Drying Schedules,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Leaflet,No.42

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara

France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France

Freitas, M.C.P.G. de,1963,Maderas da India Portuguesa,Lisbon Mem. Junta de Invest. do Ultramar,No.47

Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London

Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32

HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

India - Forest Research Institute,1970,Indian Timbers - Kokko (Siris,Forest Research Inst. & Colleges Dehra Dun Information Series,No.6

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

Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory

Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

Limaye, V.D. 1954. Grouping of Indian Timbers and their Properties, Uses and Suitability. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 2, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India.

Limaye, V.D. and B.R. Sen. 1953. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 4, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India.

Limaye, V.D.,1933,The Physical and Mechanical Properties of woods grown in India (Third,Interim Report on Project 1,Indian Forest Records,18(10,pp1-70

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Little, E.L., Wadsworth, F.H.,1964,Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.249

Nation Research Council,1980,Firewood Crops Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production,National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C.

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Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

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Ramesh, Rao K., Juneja, K.B.S.,1971,Field Identification of Fifty Important timbers of India,Dehra Dun India

Ramesh, Rao K., Purkayastha, S.K.,1972,Indian Woods - Their Identification Properties and Uses,Dehra Dun India,Vol. 3

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Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

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