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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 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 Painting 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 Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Podocarpus gracilior Trade Name Bastard yellowwood Family Name Podocarpaceae Common Names Bastard yellowwood, Ben, Bene, Birbisa, East African podo, East African yellowwood, Falcate yellowwood, Mse, Mse mawe, Mufu, Musangira, Museneka, Musenene, Musengera, Musenuera, Muvengea, Mwavavi, Ol biribiri, Piri pirindi, Podo, Sapta, Saptet, Wiriwiri, Yellow-wood, Zigba Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda Common Uses Beehives, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Concrete formwork, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Model airplanes, Paneling, Plywood, Railroad ties, Tables, Turnery, Vats Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Heartwood Color Red Pink Brown Green/grey Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown White to cream Sapwood Color White Yellow Pink Red Grey Same as heartwood Grain Straight Even Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Distinct figure Texture Coarse Fine Luster Medium Slightly lustrous Dull Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to termites Non-durable Resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Perishable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately durable Weathering Poor Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 Drying Defects Checking Collapse Distortion Internal Honeycombing Possible Slight end splitting Slight surface checking Slight twist/warp No surface checking No end splitting Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Easy Moderate Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 40-50 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 50-60 m Bark width is 10-15 mm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Moderately easy Easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mortise Finishes well Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good finishing results Easy to mould Movement in Service Small Stable Medium Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Holds nails well Easy to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Resistance to Splitting Poor Very Poor Satisfactory Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to treat using either open tank or pressure syste Contains alkaloids giving it good acid resistance Satisfactory routing results Moderately easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Screwing yields good results Easy to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Good results Easy to turn Satisfactory Veneering Qualities Veneers easily Suitable for slicing Veneers moderately easy Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Suitable for peeling Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Moderate Painting Fair to Good Results Surface Preparation Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good results Satisfactory results Polishing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good results Satisfactory results Staining Finish is generally good Staining (Characteristic) = non-staining Satisfactory Poor resistance to decay Varnishing Surface Preparation Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Hardness (side grain) = very soft Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Toughness (total work) = very low Shrinkage, Radial = small Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Work to Maximum Load