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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 Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Nothofagus menziesii Trade Name New Zealand silver beech Family Name Fagaceae Common Names New Zealand silver beech, Silver beech, Southland beech Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] New Zealand Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Cooperages, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture, Heavy construction, Light construction, Plywood, Tables, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Red Orange Pale red to pink Brown Pale brown Reddish brown Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow Paler than heartwood White to yellow Pinkish Grain Straight Even Straight Texture Medium Coarse Fine Luster Medium Low Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Perishable Moderately durable Non-durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Non durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Kiln Schedules UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Drying Defects Slight end splitting Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Easy Moderate Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Moderate gluing properties Easy to glue Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Stable Nailing Holds satisfactorily Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Screwing Screwing yields satisfactory results Turning Good results Steam Bending Good Moderate Painting Good results Polishing Satisfactory results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = very soft Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8996 14020 psi Density 36 lbs/ft3 Hardness 936 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 4468 7025 psi Shearing Strength 1721 psi Stiffness 1352 1565 1000 psi Weight 35 28 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 632 985 kg/cm2 Density 576 kg/m3 Hardness 424 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 314 493 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 121 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 560 448 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % References Bhat, R.V., Guhu, S.R.D.,1951,Indigeneous cellulosic raw materials for the production of pulp,,paper-board prt. II Semi-chemical and chemical pulps from Lannea grandis,(Jhingan,Indian Forester 77(9) pp568-85 Bier, H.,1983,The strength properties of small clear specimens of New Zealand-grown,timber,New Zealand Forest Service Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.41 Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 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 Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 Reid, J.S.,1953,Beech Timbers,New Zealand Forest Service Information Series No.17 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30 Smith, S.W. and Entrican, A.R.,1957,Forestry in New Zealand,New Zealand Forest Service Information Series No.1