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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. Boring Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Painting Planing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Varnishing Scientific Name Ilex mitis Trade Name Cape holly Family Name Aquifoliaceae Synonyms Ilex capensis Common Names Cape holly, Gendanamto, Ilex, Msaira, Musumara, Omunyaishu, Sijarira, Umduma, Water tree, Whitewood, Without Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture, Light construction, Matches, Mathematical instruments, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes Heartwood Color White Yellow Red Brown Orange White to cream Sapwood Color Red Yellow White Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Figure Even Distinct (figure) Mottle Weak (figure) Straight Distinct figure Weak figure Mottled or streaked figure sometimes Texture Medium Fine Medium Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Non-resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Slight surface checking Severe twisting/warping Severe cupping Moderate end spitting Moderate collapse and honeycombing Kiln Drying Rate Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Boring Easy Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Easy to mortise Finishes well Moulding Easy to mould Movement in Service Large Nailing Easy to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Painting Good results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = large Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Max. crushing strength = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6911 10833 psi Density 38 lbs/ft3 Hardness 995 lbs Impact Strength 28 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3694 6087 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1188 1383 1000 psi Weight 37 30 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 485 761 kg/cm2 Density 608 kg/m3 Hardness 451 kg Impact Strength 71 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 259 427 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 83 97 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 592 480 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % 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 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75 Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35 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 Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2 Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1 Scott, M.H.,1948,Timber Seasoning in South Africa,South African Forestry Department South Africa Bulletin No.32 Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3 Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 Tanzania Forest Division,1963,Ilex mitis (msaira,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1 White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya