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Boring
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing

Scientific Name
Calodendrum capense

Trade Name
Cape chestnut

Family Name
Rutaceae

Synonyms
Calodendrum capensis


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Cape chestnut, Kastaiingboom, Kastanjehout, Mgorusi, Moehakalela, Mujai, Mulalachi, Muroroa, Ol-larashi, Ombaba, Umbaba, Wild chestnut, Wildekastaiing, Yangu

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Australia, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Musical instruments, Paneling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative

Heartwood Color
Yellow
White
Orange
Black
Green/grey
Red
Brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale brown
White to cream
Greenish to greyish
Brown


Sapwood Color
Green/Grey
Yellow
White
White to yellow
Same as heartwood


Grain
Straight
Figure
Even
Growth rings (figure)
Distinct (figure)

Straight
Distinct figure
Clear growth rings (figure)


Texture
Fine
Fine to medium
Medium
Fine


Luster
Medium


Natural Durability
Perishable
Non-durable
Non durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Perishable


Kiln Schedules
UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3


Drying Defects
No twisting or warping
No end splitting


Ease of Drying
Easy


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 0-10 m
Tree height is 10-20 m


Boring
Easy


Cutting Resistance
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy


Gluing
Easy to glue


Mortising
Finishes well


Nailing
Easy to nail


Planing
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Heartwood is moderately resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Easy to machine


Sanding
Good sanding finish


Turning
Easy to turn
Good results


Steam Bending
Very good


Polishing
Satisfactory results


Varnishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength931014566psi
Density42lbs/ft3
Hardness1658lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength39166397psi
Shearing Strength2205psi
Stiffness146016861000 psi
Weight4133lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength6541024kg/cm2
Density673kg/m3
Hardness752kg
Maximum Crushing Strength275449kg/cm2
Shearing Strength155kg/cm2
Stiffness1021181000 kg/cm2
Weight657528kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%

References
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]

Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1979,Aiele,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,187,pp65-78

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

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

Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9

Pardy, A.A.,1956,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1891

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

Scott, M.H.,1948,Timber Seasoning in South Africa,South African Forestry Department South Africa Bulletin No.32

Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36

Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3

Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford

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

Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya