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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. 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 Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Newtonia buchananii Trade Name Lokundu Family Name Leguminosae Common Names Acacia, Chikwani, East African newtonia, Forest newtonia, Lokundu, Lupewere, Mafamuti, Makuruma, Mkufi, Mkwerenyani, Mnyassa, Mofu, Mpehere, Mpewere, Mruga, Mseri, Mshashita, Muchenche, Mufomoti, Mujairaya, Mujerairo, Mukoi, Mukui, Mukunga, Mutole, Mutoyo, Mwosi, N'singa, Newtonia, Nkwerenyani, Omukungu, Pehere, Singa-singa, Umukerekwa Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Common Uses Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Railroad ties, Shipbuilding, Tables, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat May soon become Endangered if over-exploitation and habitat destruction persists Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions. Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Vulnerable in Uganda Distribution Overview The species occurs in Central and East Africa. Heartwood Color Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Pale red to pink Pale brown Greenish to greyish Reddish brown Red Dark brown Heartwood matures into a golden brown color with age Sapwood Color White to yellow Paler than heartwood Well defined Whitish Grey Distinct from the heartwood Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Interlocked Even Straight Stripe (figure) Rippled (figure) Texture Medium coarse to coarse Coarse Medium Fine to medium Fine Luster Lustrous Slightly lustrous The wood is naturally lustrous. Natural Growth Defects Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Moderately durable Perishable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Durable Susceptible to pinhole borers Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack by marine borers Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Moderately resistant to attack by termites Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Kiln Schedules UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4 Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Dry at a moderate speed Schedule J (4/4) - United Kingdom. Drying Defects Checking Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Slight surface checking Slight twist/warp Moderate surface checking No end splitting No cupping, generally Moderate collapse and honeycombing Larger size stock may split during drying Generally free from spring and bow Ease of Drying Easy Air dries and kiln dries satisfactorily Kiln Drying Rate Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Soft to moderately hard Timber properties vary depending upon the origin Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Medium dulling effect on cutting edges Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild Boring Difficult Carving Good results Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Low cutting resistance Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable The timber has low resistance to cutting but growth stresses may cause green logs to bind and split during conversion, and wide boards to split during resawing. Gluing Easy to glue Difficult to glue Mortising Difficult to mortise Easy to mortise Finishes poorly Moulding Difficult to mould Easy to mould Movement in Service Medium Stable Moderately stable in service Nailing Easy to nail Pre-boring recommended Possible if prebored Holds nails well Planing Planes well, to a good finish Special attention required Planes to a poor finish Difficult to plane A 10 degree cutting angle is recommended for best planing results. Resistance to Impregnation Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Responds well to hand tools Sanding Good sanding finish Fairly good sanding characteristics Turning Difficult to turn Fairly easy turning, boring, mortising and other machining operations Fairly soft to moderately hard wood, with properties that vary according to origin. It responds well to ordinary tools in most machining operations, including turning, boring, moulding, mortising, and routing. Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Easy to cut Steam Bending Poor Polishing Satisfactory results Good results The material polishes well. Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Weight = medium Very dense Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Resists denting and marring Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = high The species has high bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content). It compares favorably with Teak, which also has high bending strength. Strength in compression parallel to grain is in the high range. Other species in this range include Teak, White oak, and Hard maple Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9016 13917 psi Crushing Strength 1137 psi Density 35 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1102 lbs Impact Strength 25 28 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4283 7019 psi Shearing Strength 1627 psi Static Bending 9104 psi Stiffness 1371 1740 1000 psi Toughness 321 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 9 12 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.62 Weight 34 34 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 633 978 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 79 kg/cm2 Density 560 kg/m3 Hardness 499 kg Impact Strength 63 71 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 301 493 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 114 kg/cm2 Static Bending 640 kg/cm2 Stiffness 96 122 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 369 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.63 0.84 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.62 Weight 544 544 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa. 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] 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 Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi Chalk, L., et al,1932,Some East African Coniferae and Leguminosae,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire,Part 1 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 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,1961,Madeiras de Angola Series 1,Reprint from Garcia de Orta Lisbon,9(4,pp699-711 Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9 Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. 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 Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Scott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal] Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda 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 - Timber Marketing Co. Ltd.,1978,Timber from Tanzania Tanzania Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14 Tanzania Forest Department,1962,Newtonia buchananii (newtonia/mkufi/mnyassa,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 Timber Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28 Uganda Forest Department,1954,Dahoma,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet, No.8 Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1 Uganda Forest Department,1956,Muchenche - Newtonia buchananii,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet No.27 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