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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 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 Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Melia azedarach Trade Name Persian lilac Family Name Meliaceae Common Names Albero di paternoster, Alelaila, Aleli, Alilaila, Anesita, Arbol de paternoster, Arbre de paternoster, Bakain, Bakayan, Bead tree, Beadtree, Belile, Bere, Bevu, Bitan, Bois rouge, Cape lilac, Chein, Chinaberry, Chinaberry lilaila, Chinaberry tree, Chinatree, Cinamomo, Cinnamomo, Dakain, Darachik, Darachk, Deknoi, Denkan, Drek, Embora, Flor de paraiso, Geringging, Hoop tree, Hutchu bevu, Indian lilac, Jacinto, Jempinis, Kachein, Kemel, Lamoa, Lelah, Lemua, Lila, Lilac, Lilas, Mallay vembu, Mementi, Menga, Mera, Mindi, Nim wood, Paraiso, Paternoster boom, Paternoster tree, Paternosterbaum, Paternostertra, Paternostertree, Pejri, Persian lilac, Tamaga, Tamaya, Taraka vepa, Thamaya, Turaka vepa, Vembu, White cedar, Yerri vepa Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia, Burma, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia Island [France], New Caledonia, Sri Lanka, United States Common Uses Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Clogs, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Fine furniture, Fixtures, Floor lamps, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hatracks, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Medicinal use, Musical instruments: percussion, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rafters, Roofing, Rustic furniture, Shakes, Shingles, Siding, Sporting Goods, Stools, Structural plywood, Tables , Toys, Turnery, Utility furniture, Utility plywood, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes, Windows Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The species is native to the Himalayan region and elsewhere in southeast Asia but it has been successfully cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world as an ornamental. It is also a naturalized species in the United States, and is found from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to Texas, and north to southeastern Oklahoma. It also grows in California. The tree is often found close to dwellings, in open areas, and sometimes in forests. It prefers to grow in dry soils. Heartwood Color Brown Green/grey Yellow Black Red Orange Reddish brown Red Pale red to pink Pale brown Darkens to reddish-brown upon exposure Areas of spring wood pores are marked with dark lines Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Well defined Pinkish Grain Straight Growth rings (figure) Figure Interlocked Even Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Interlocked Quartersawn surface show attractive figure Occasionally interlocked, but not always Generally straight, but not always Texture Medium Fine Coarse Uneven Medium coarse to coarse Luster Medium Lustrous Pronounced Natural Growth Defects Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Very durable Non-durable Durable Perishable Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Non durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Perishable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Highly resistant to decay and wood destroying insects Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Dermatitic effects Unspecified toxicity Sawdust may cause headaches Respiratory effects Drying Defects Splitting Checking Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking No twisting or warping No surface checking Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Slowly Easy Air-dries rather well Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Bark width is 10-15 mm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Product Sources The tree is not abundant and is of little commercial value as source of lumber. Its distribution in the United states is confined to a small area, and lumber supplies are rather limited because the wood is seldom sold commercially. Comments Bark, fruit, and leaves are used for medicinal purposes General finishing qualities are rated as good Boring Moderately easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Easy to saw Gluing Easy to glue Good gluing properties Mortising Finishes satisfactorily Nailing Easy to nail Good nailing properties Planing Planes well, to a good finish Tearing may be considerable Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Good response Sanding Good sanding finish Screwing Easy to screw Turning Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor results Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling No steaming needed during bolt preparation. Good gluing qualities Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Requires a filler Staining Fair to Good Results Good staining properties Finish is generally good Strength Properties Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Radial = large Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = low Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = high Weight = light Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Moderately resists denting and marring Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = medium Density = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8285 12207 psi Crushing Strength 598 1009 psi Density 34 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1133 lbs Impact Strength 50 45 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3352 5805 psi Shearing Strength 1978 psi Static Bending 4773 6350 psi Stiffness 1121 1289 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 11 14 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.45 0.51 Weight 36 34 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 582 858 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 42 70 kg/cm2 Density 544 kg/m3 Hardness 513 kg Impact Strength 126 114 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 235 408 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 139 kg/cm2 Static Bending 335 446 kg/cm2 Stiffness 78 90 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.77 0.98 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.45 0.51 Weight 576 544 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % References Australia - N.S.W. Forestry Commission,1988,Furniture Timbers of New South Wales,Forest Commission, N.S.W., Aust. Tech. Publication No.1 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.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75 Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research 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 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 3 Southern Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chen, C.L.,1962,The Physical Properties of 101 Chinese Woods,Forest Products Journal 12(7) pp339-42 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Chu, Y.P.,1969,Some basic strength properties of 22 timbers from Christmas Island,Malaysian Forester 32(2) pp201-2 Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15 E.H. Walker,1954,Important Trees of the Ryukyu Islands,United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands Special Bulletin,No. 3 Guha, S.R.D., Negi, G.S.,1965,Writing and printing paper from Melia azedarach Linn (Persian Lilac,Indian Forester 91(12) pp867-9 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. 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 Kline, M. 1984. Melia azedarach - Chinaberry. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 233. 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 Limaye, V.D. 1954. Grouping of Indian Timbers and Their Properties, Uses, and Suitability. Indian Forest Records (New Series). Timber Mechanics. Volume 1 No. 2. Manager of Publications (Publisher, Delhi Limaye, V.D. and B.R. Sen. 1956. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records (New Series). Timber Mechanics. Volume 1 No. 4. Manager of Publications (Publisher, Delhi. Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Nazma,1981,A handbook of Kerala Timbers,Kerala Forest Research Institute Research Report, No.9 Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols Rawat, B. S., Rawat, N. S., Sekhar, A. C., Bhatnager, S. S. 1957. Physical and Mechanical Properties of Timbers Tested at the Forest Research Institute, Report XI. Indian Forest Records, Timber Mechanics Branch, Volume 1 No. 12, Dehra Dun, India Record, S.J.,1927,Trees of Honduras,Tropical Woods,10, pp10-47 Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. 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 Tamolang, F.N., Martawijaya, A., Kartasujana, I., Kadir, K., Parwira, S.,1992,Indonesian Wood Atlas Volume II,Department of Forestry, Agency for Forestry Research and Development,,Bogor-Indonesia Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6