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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 Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Turning Scientific Name Lovoa swynnertonii Trade Name East African Walnut Family Name Meliaceae Common Names East African Walnut, Kilimanjaro mahogany, Kilimanjaro walnut, Msau, Msaur, Mukongoro, Mukuso, Mukusu, Mutunguru, Nkoba, Nnabulagala, Omukumbo Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Uganda Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Flooring, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Musical instruments, Paneling, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Distribution Overview This species occurs in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire and Zimbabwe. It grows within wet evergreen forest. In Kenya, this species prefers sandy or loamy soils. In the Kwale district of Kenya this species is found in lowland forests dominated by Newtonia paucijuga, Milicia excelsa and Antiaris toxicaria and in the Meru district of Kenya it occurs in upland forest dominated by Newtonia buchanannii and Ocotea usambarensis. In Mozambique, this species is only known from the Garuso forests and in Zimbabwe is only known from the Chirinda forest where it is found on well-drained slopes of river banks. Heartwood Color Purple Brown Brown Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Sapwood Color Brown Yellow Grey White to yellow Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Different than heartwood Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Interlocked Closed Wavy Stripe (figure) Interlocked Distinct figure Wavy Striped figure Texture Medium Medium Luster Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately durable Very durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to marine borer attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Non durable Durable Odor Has a taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Drying (speed) is fast Ease of Drying Thick Stock Requires Care Reconditioning Treatement Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Gluing Difficult to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mortise Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good finishing results Easy to mould Movement in Service Stable Medium Nailing Easy to nail Difficult to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderately easy Sanding Good sanding finish Screwing Possible if prebored Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Steam Bending Good Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = soft Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7711 12078 psi Density 39 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1326 lbs Impact Strength 49 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5408 8171 psi Shearing Strength 1789 psi Stiffness 1264 1472 1000 psi Weight 38 31 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 542 849 kg/cm2 Density 624 kg/m3 Hardness 601 kg Impact Strength 124 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 380 574 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 125 kg/cm2 Stiffness 88 103 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 608 496 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % References 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 McCoy-Hill, M.,1957,Timbers of Tanganyika - Ngambo, Mpande, East African Walnut and Candelabra,Tree,Timber Technology,65(2219,pp467 Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda Uganda Forest Department,1958,Mukusu (Lovoa swynnertonii,Tanzania Forest Dep. Util. Sec. Moshi Timber Leaflet,No.34 Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya