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Blunting Effect Boring Certified Source Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Abrasion Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Polyscias kikuyuensis Trade Name Aoun Family Name Araliaceae Common Names Aoun, Aounet, Aul, Ewondet, Kwaluk, Mauchet, Muadswa, Mukanya, Mukurukuru, Mungorusa, Mutati, Ol-yalilingi, Saiyet, Samiet Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Kenya, Tanzania, Zaire Common Uses Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Food containers, Furniture, Light construction, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Toys Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Heartwood Color White Brown Green/grey Yellow Red White to cream Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Sapwood Color White Yellow Red Brown Grain Figure Even Straight Interlocked Other (figure) Straight Other figure Interlocked Texture Fine Uniform Even or uniform Coarse Medium Luster High Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Non durable Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Weathering Poor Odor Has an odor Drying Defects Distortion Internal Honeycombing Possible Collapse Uneven Moisture Content Slight end splitting Slight cupping Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderately Difficult to Difficult Thick Stock Requires Care Medium to High Shrinkage Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Certified Source Certified Source Blunting Effect Little Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to nail Holds satisfactorily Holds nails well Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Abrasion Moderate High Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Screwing yields satisfactory results Screwing yields good results Easy to screw Turning Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers easily Suitable for slicing Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Painting Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Bending strength (MOR) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 2509 3623 psi Density 23 lbs/ft3 Weight 23 19 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 176 254 kg/cm2 Density 368 kg/m3 Weight 368 304 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % References Battiscombe, E.,1926,A Descriptive Catalogue of some of the Common Trees and Woody Plants of,Kenya Colony,Crown Agents for the Colonies London 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 Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2 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 Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya