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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
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
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Silica Content
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Melaleuca leucadendron

Trade Name
Broad leaved tea-tree

Family Name
Myrtaceae

Synonyms
Myrtus leucadendron, Cajuputi leucadendron, Melaleuca cajuputi, Melaleuca leucadendron, Melaleuca minor, Melaleuca saligna, Melaleuca viridiflora, Metrosideros quinquenervia


Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Aceite de Cayeput, Ai kelane, Al-carabutan, Atchoourgo, Balsamo de Cayeput, Baroe galang, Boes, Bottlebrush, Broad leaved tea tree, Broad leaved tea-tree, Brown tea tree, Cajeput, Cajeput oil tree, Cajeput tree, Cayeputi, Gelam, Irano, Irano elan, Iren, Itahou, Kajoe, Kajoe gelang, Kayaputi, Kayu puteh, Kayu puti, M'me, Meu, Milkwood, Niaouli, Paper bark, Paperbark tree, Poetih, Punk tree, Sa-met, Sakelan, Smach, Swamp tea tree, Tea tree, Waroe gelang, White paper bark, White tea tree, Yeon nadi

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Hawaii [US], India, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia Island [France], New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, United States

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Construction, Core Stock, Crossties, Decks, Decorative veneer, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Flooring, Food containers, Foundation posts, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Gunstocks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Mine timbers, Oars, Office furniture, Particleboard, Pile-driver cushions, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rifle stock, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Structural work, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wharf construction

Environmental Profile
Status has not been officially assessed


Distribution Overview
Eastern Australia through Malaysia and Myanmar (Burma), but now widely cultivated in warm climates around the world. It is considered a naturalized species in southern California and Florida, thriving on wet, swampy soils. It is often found in dense, pure stands.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Yellow
Orange
Green/grey
Purple
Red
Black
Reddish brown
Pale brown
Pinkish buff
Pinkish brown
Pale red to pink
Greenish to greyish
Dark brown


Sapwood Color
White to yellow
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood
Color gradually merges into heartwood


Grain
Interlocked
Straight
Figure
Wavy
Closed
Even
Distinct (figure)
Other (figure)
Rippled (figure)
Irregular
Weak (figure)

Interlocked
Straight
Wavy
Weak figure
Straight to irregular
Rippled figure
Other figure
Has little figure
Distinct figure


Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Fine
Fine to medium
Uniform
Medium
Coarse


Luster
Medium
Low
Lustrous


Natural Durability
Resistant to marine borers
Very durable
Durable
Resistant to termites
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to termites
Durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from marine borers
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Weathering properties are excellent
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Heartwood resistant ot marine borers and termites


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Silica Content
Severe
Likely to have significant impact on machining
Contains very highly levels of silica (0.20% to .95% of dry weight)


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid
Dry at a moderate speed


Drying Defects
Distortion
Checking
Splitting
Moderate surface checking
Moderate twist/warp
Severe twisting/warping
Severe end splitting
No twisting or warping
No surface checking
No end splitting
Slight twist/warp
Slight surface checking
Severe surface checking
Moderate end spitting


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Slowly
Requires care
Radial and tangential shrinkage tends to be rather large.
Difficult

Air-Drying under cover and mild kiln drying schedules, as well as a thorough coating of the end-grain with hot wax or glue have been suggested.

Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Naturally dries slowly
Naturally dries quickly
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is misshapen
Bole/stem form is not buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Tree height is 40-50 m


Boles are typically crooked and of poor form, which makes the tree undesirable for timber production. Stumps of cut trees are reported to coppice vigorously to produce thickets which are valued commercially for fence posts and landscaping

Product Sources
Cajeput is described as a general purpose timber within its growing region. It is currently of little commercial importance outside its growing areas

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Produces little lumber because boles are often of poor form

Blunting Effect
Little
Blunting effect on machining is severe
Severe and rapid due to silica
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe


Boring
Easy


Carving
High silica and density may dull cutters rapidly and severely
Carves well in dry condition


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Easy to saw

Dulls saw-teeth rather quickly because of high levels of silica.

Gluing
Easy to glue
Good gluing properties


Mortising
Mortising properties are poor due to interlocked grain


Moulding
Good finishing results


Movement in Service
Large


Nailing
Difficult to nail


Planing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to plane
Planes to a satisfactory finish
High density and silicon dulls cutters quickly
Difficult to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is extremely resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Difficult to machine
Good response
Cutting edges become dull very quickly


Routing & Recessing
Routing yields good results


Sanding
Difficult to sand


Turning
Requires drying before using to prevent warping and checking
Good results


Veneering Qualities
Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts
Moderately easy to veneer


Painting
Fair to Good Results
Good results


Polishing
Good results
Polishes to a smooth surface


Varnishing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Volumetric = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Weight = very high
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Density = high
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Bending strength (MOR) = very high

Leaves contain Cajeput oil which is extracted by steam distillation and is used in the manufacture of soap and also for medicinal purposes. The tree is also a major source of honey.

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1145817322psi
Density49lbs/ft3
Hardness1658lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength63049567psi
Shearing Strength2125psi
Stiffness174820101000 psi
Specific Gravity0.620.64
Weight4838lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
Volumetric Shrinkage15%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength8051217kg/cm2
Density785kg/m3
Hardness752kg
Maximum Crushing Strength443672kg/cm2
Shearing Strength149kg/cm2
Stiffness1221411000 kg/cm2
Specific Gravity0.620.64
Weight769608kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%

References
Anderson, R.H.,1947,The Trees of New South Wales,New South Wales Department of Agriculture

Arno, J. 1989. Melaleuca quinquenervia - Cajeput-tree. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 231-232.

Bolza, E. and N.H. Kloot. 1963. The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper No. 25. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1963,The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.25

Bolza, E.,1975,Properties and Uses of 175 Timber Species from Papua New Guinea and West,Irian,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Research Report,no.34

Browne, F.G.,1955,Forest Trees of Sarawak and Brunei and their Products.,Government Printing Office, Kuching, Sarawak

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Cherrier, J.F.,1981,Le Niaouli en Nouvelle Caledonie (Melalenca quinquenervia S.T. Blake,Revue Forestiere Francaise 33(4) pp297-311

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

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

Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15

Descrptive Data Source

Eddowes, P.J. 1977. Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea - Their Properties and Uses. Forest Products Research Center, Office of Forests, Department of Primary Industry, Papua New Guinea.

Eddowes, P.J.,1977,Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea: Their Properties and Uses,Hebano Press, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Empire Forestry Journal,1941,Melaleuca bucadendron,Empire Forestry Journal 20(1) p81

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

Fenton, R., Et al,1977,Lowland Tropical Hardwoods - An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Species,with Plantation Potential,External Aid Div. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wellington, N.Z.

Gay, F.J., Et al,1955,Standard laboratory colonies of termites for evaluating the resistance of,timber, timber preservatives and other materials to termite attack.,C.S.I.R.O., Australia Bulletin,No.277

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

Huffman, J.B.,1977,Floridas Melalenca - A Utilization status report and problem analysis,School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida,,Research Report No.26

Huffman, J.B.,1980,Melalenca Wood and Bark Utilization Research - A Progress Report.,Florida Division of Forestry, Proceedings of Melalenca Symposium pp37-69

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

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

Kloot, N.H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper No. 12. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Kraemer, J.H.,1951,Trees of the Western Pacific Region,West Lafayette, Indiana U.S.A.

Morton, J.F.,1966,The Cajeput tree - A boon and an affliction,Economic Botany 20(1) pp31-9

Natawiria, D., Et al,1973,Percobaan Pencegahan Serangan Rayap Macrotermes Gilvis Hagen Pada Tanaman,kayu putih (Melalenca leucadendron) di Cikampek,Lamporan Lembaga Penelitian Hutan No.73

Ng, F.S.P.,1978,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 3,Forest Department Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia

Rollet, B.,1972,La vegetation du Cambodge,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.144 pp3-15

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

Sarawak Forestry Department,Trees and Timbers of Sarawak and Brunei,Sarawak Forestry Department Leaflet

Sarlin, P.,1954,Bois et forets de la Nourelle Caledoiue,C.T.F.T. Publication 6

Schory, E.A.,1958,The Cajaput tree (Melalenca leucadendron) in Florida,Caribbean Forester 19(3/4) pp50-5

Thomas, R.J., Gilmore, R.C.,1962,The Machining Characteristics of Casuarina glanca, Casuarina equisetifolia,and Melalenca leucadendron,Department of Wood Science and Technology; School of Forestry, North,Carolina State College, Technical Report 16









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