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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 Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Varnishing		Scientific Name Ekebergia capensis Trade Name Cape ash Family Name Meliaceae Synonyms Trichilia eckebergia, Ekebergia meyeri Common Names Cape ash, Dog plum, Essen-boom, Essenhout, Koosho, Mgwenyezinja, Mudanhatsindi, Munyama, Munyimonyimo, Muvhwanyimo, Umgwenyezinja Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] South Africa, Zimbabwe Common Uses Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Paneling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes, Wheels Heartwood Color Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Sapwood Color Same as heartwood Grain Straight Figure Distinct (figure) Even Straight Distinct and very fine figure Distinct figure Texture Medium Fine Fine to medium Medium Coarse Luster Medium Natural Durability Very durable Durable Non durable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Perishable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately durable Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 Drying Defects Splitting Checking No end splitting Collapse and honeycombing is rare Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderately Difficult to Difficult Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 0-10 m Bark width is 25-30 mm Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Boring Easy Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Easy to mortise Moulding Easy to mould Nailing Easy to nail Planing Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Painting Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7391 11580 psi Density 32 lbs/ft3 Hardness 995 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 31 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 519 814 kg/cm2 Density 512 kg/m3 Hardness 451 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 496 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % 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 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 Chalk, L. et al.,1935,Fifteen South African High Forest Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire, Imperial Forestry,Institute, Oxford,Part 3 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 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. 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 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